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WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 




^K ,;/;! 






The May-Pole. 



WHEN MOTHER 
LETS US PLAY 



By ANGELA M. KEYES 

It 
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH IN THE BROOKLYN 

TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS 



ILLUSTRATED BY ADA BUDELL 




NEW YORK 
MOFFAT, YXKVt AND COMPANY 

1911 



Copyright, 1911, by 
MOFFAT. YARD AND COMPANY 

NEW YORK 

All rtghis reserved 
Published, September, 1911 



0^ 






(C^ ni A 'J op: o 



INTRODUCTION 

My dear Children: 

Here is a whole book of Play I have written for you. I 
know you will like it. What fun you will have being the 
traveling showman! and building a theatre to give a 
merry puppet play ! and putting up the mysterious shadow 
screen ! ! Grownups as well as boys and girls like your- 
self will enjoy guessing the charades. And what splen- 
did stories you will tell, especially at night, in the winter, 
before the open fire. 

If you have half so good a time playing this book as I 
have had writing it for you, I shall be content. 

A last word, be sure to invite father and mothei* to the 
Pageant of New Year's Resolutions; they will find in it a 
joy deeper than you can know. 

With best wishes of 

Angela M. Keyes. 
New York City, July, 1911. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Puzzles — Pictures of Animals 3 

Playing Charades 5 

Tom Thumb , . . . 6 

Blue Beard 11 

Old King Cole 18 

Alice in Wonderland 25 

Giving Out Charades ,31 

Puzzles in Spelling 35 

Cutting Words' Heads off 39 

Making Word Squares 41 

Puzzles in Arithmetic 42 

Playing Proverbs 44 

Riddles 45 

Conundrums 51 

The Do As I Do Club 58 

Making Rhyming Alphabets 60 

May Day 64 

Spring 65 

A New Year's Pageant of Good Resolutions . . 66 

A Wild Beast Snow 76 

Another Way to Hold a Wild Beast Show ... 80 

The Traveling Show of Mother Tabbyskins . . 81 

Puppet Plays 90 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

The Puppet Play op the Princess of the Pea . . 92 

The Top and the Ball 97 

Shadow Play 103 

The Table and the Chair Ill 

The Owl and the Pussy Cat 115 

The Sleeping Beauty 117 

The Bremen Town-Musicians . 122 

The Candles 128 

Answers i 133 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

The May Pole Frontispiece 

Pictures of Animals 2 

Spinning Tales 24 

Pictures — Names of Places 33, 34 

Proverbs in Pictures 37, 38 

Tailpiece 40 

Tailpiece 43 

Tailpiece 50 

Tailpiece 57 

Tailpiece 58 

The New Year Crown by Father Time .... 67 

The Birds Are Set Free 71 

The Traveling Showman 89 

A Puppet Show 91 

The Princess on the Pea 94 

Shadow Play 104 

End Piece 135 



There was once a simple boy and once a simple 

girl, 
And they met one day with their brains in a 

whirl ; 
Said the boy, ^^Can you guess what's the word 

that isn't yesV 
Said the girl, *' Maybe so. Do you think it can 

henoV 



WHEN MOTHEK LETS US PLAY 






Ka3 





UoS- 



Picture Names of Animals. 



"VYHEX MOTHER LETS VS PLAY 6 

PUZZLES 
PICTURE NAMES OF ANIMALS 

What animal does the picture name ^ 

1 

2 
3 
4 

5 

«. 

Make some pictures of your own. Try starling, 
swalloiv, hluehird, reindeer, turkey, fox. Think of 
others. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



While we play the play out, 
You make the charade out. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS TS PLAY 



PLAYING CHARADES 

Grown-iips as well as children will enjoy seeing 
you play the charades. 

A back room with a curtain or a folding 
screen is a good place to play. Two of you 
should take charge of the curtain. Another 
should run the play. "When everything is ready 
this girl or boy may step before the curtain 
and tell that the charade to be played is the name 
of a story (or a rhyme) well known to boys and 
girls. He explains that each word of the name 
will be played and then the whole name. 

After the play the audience tries to guess the 
name. 

If you wish you may give the play on father's 
or mother's or one another's birthday. Learn 
your parts and practice once or twice before the 
time comes. It is not necessary to ^^ dress up," 
but, if you don't overdo it, it is fun. You will 
find with each play hints about dressing up. 



6 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

TOM THUMB 
PLAYERS 

Of first word: Tom, butcher, customer, boys 

and girls. 
Of second word : Leader, several boys and girls. 
Of whole name: King, queen, lords, ladies, 

pages, harper, Tom Thumb. 

COSTUMES 
(If desired.) 

Butcher: — Butcher's apron and sleeves, knife. 
King: — Crown (cardboard), ermine trimming 

on cloak (cotton batting with black spots), 

sword and sceptre (cardboard). 
Queen : — Crown, ermine on gown, train. 
Ladies: — Trains, fans. 
Pages : — Velvet. 
Tom Thumb (very small child) : — Cauzy jacket 

and trousers, sword, cap with feather. 
Harper: — Long flowing cloak, gray beard, harp 

(cardboard). 

TOM 

Scene: Street showing butcher shop (big 
sign will do, pig hanging up) ; girls or boys play- 
ing nearby. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 7 

{Tom comes along ivliistling, and sees the pig hang- 
ing outside the butcher's shop. He looks around to 
see that no one is ivatching, and makes off icith it. 
As he does so, some of the children turn around and 
see him. They cry to the others, '^0 look at Tom; 
lie's stealing a pig." A customer goes into the store. 
The butcher comes out to get the pig. He fields it 
go)ie.) 

Butcher (speaking to the boys) : What's be- 
come of my pig ? 

Boys: Tom took it. 

Butcher: Who"? 

Boys: Tom. 

Butclier: Ha, Tom, the piper's son. Worthless 
fellow ! 

(He goes after Tom, the boys at his heels. The 
customer, with an angry toss of the head, goes home. 
Soon back runs Tom down the street, crying loudly. 
After him come the butcher and the children. At his 
shop door the butcher shakes his fist at Tom and 
goes in.) 

The children (singing out mockingly after Tom) : 

Tom, Tom, the piper's son. 
Stole a pig and away he rmi ! 
The pig was eat, Tom was beat, 
And he ran crying down the street. 

Boo-hoo-Tom ! 

Boo-hoo-Tom ! 



8 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

It was you, Tom ! 
It was you, Tom ! 

Boo-hoo-Tom ! 

Boo-lioo-Tom. 
(CURTAIN) 

II 

THUMB 

Scene: — A room showing children playing 
the game ^^ Simon Says." 

(The players sit in a row. They clasp their hands, 
thumbs down. The leader gives the commands. 
The players must obey only when the command be- 
gins with 



6i 



Simon Says.") 
Leader: Simon Says, ^^ Thumbs up." 

(All the players except one put np their thumbs.) 

This player: The right thumb or the left 

thumb ? 
Leader: Did I say which thumb? You must 

pay a forfeit. Say quickly : 

A thumb tumbled 

Against a thumb. 

Did a thumb 

Tumble against a thumb ? 

If a thumb tumbled 



WHEX MOTHER LETS TS PLAY 9 

Against a thumb, 
Where is the thumb 
That tumbled against a thumbs 
(The player does so.) 

Leader (going on witli the game) : Simon Says, 
*^ Thumbs down." 

(The players obey.) 

Leader: ^'Wiggle waggle, wiggle waggle." 
(One player obeys.) 

Leader: Pay a forfeit, Simon did not say it. 
Do this quickly (showing him) : 

AYiggle waggle, (Tlie player must keep both 

Wiggle waggle, ^^^^^^ ^™'^^^-) 

Wiggle waggle wum ! 

First the right, (Tlie player moves the right 

thumb as fast as he can. ) 
Then the left (He changes to the left.) 

Thumb, thumb, thumb. (He moves one after the 

other. ) 

(CURTAIN) 



III 

TOM THUMB 

Scene: The king and queen on a throne, 
pages behind, lords near king, ladies near queen, 
at distance a harper playing. 



10 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



(Suddenly Tom Thumb appears. One of the 
ladies in waiting catches sight of him.) 
Lady: Look, your majesty, what a queer wee 
mannie ! 

(One of the lords picks up Tom Thumb and car- 
ries him on his shoulder to the king.) 

King: Who are you? Whence did you comef 
Tom: 



My name is (Tom Thumb), 
From the fairies I've come. 
When King Arthur shone, 
This court was my home, 
In me he delighted, 
By him I was knighted, 
Did you never hear of (Sir 
Thomas Thumb) % 

(CURTAIN) 



(The name is to be 
hummed, not said.) 



(The name is to be 
hummed.) 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 11 

BLUEBEARD 
PLAYERS 

Of first word : A group of children. 

Of second word: Snow-Wliite, Rose-Red, 

dwarf. 
Of wliole name : Bluebeard, wife, Sister Anne, 

two brothers. 

COSTUMES 

(If desired.) 

Snow- White (a fair-haired child) : — White ; 

blue ribbons. 
Rose-Red (a dark red-cheeked child) : — White; 

red ribbons. 
Dwarf : — Bro^AHi, long pointed shoes, cut down at 

sides and up at back, pointed hood, long 

white beard (tow, will do). 
Bluebeard: — Loose dressing gown over baggy 

trousers, bright-colored silk handkerchief 

bound around the head as a turban, short 

sword of silver cardboard, beard of bluish 

color. 

BLUE 

(The children stand in a group and sing the 
verses to any simple joyons tune they may choose 
or make np.) 



12 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

What is blue ? 

Baby's eyes are blue 

Like chinks of heaven coming through; 

An angel shut them in her eyes 

To light her safely down the skies. 

"What is blue ? (Holding up the flowers.) 

Bluebells are blue ; 

Forget-me-nots of the same bright hue, 
Wherever by the road they blow, 
They tell you of someone you know. 

What is blue ? (Looking up.) 

The sky is blue, 

With moon and stars shining through. 
The Milky Way all ghostly white 
With track of spirits passed to light. 

(Every second child faces backwards. All take 
hands. Keeping hold, they glide along slowly, mov- 
ing in and out like a winding stream.) 

What is blue? 

The river is blue, 

On it goes past me and you 

To cast itself on ocean's breast. 

Though long it may not stay to rest. 

(The players, with as little breaking of the line 
as possible, change the winding line into a circle, 
all now facing in. They move around as they sing,) 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 13 

Blue is the river that flo\Yeth by, 
Blue as a flower is baby 's eye, 
Blue is a sign of all things true, 
The starry sky is the deepest blue. 

(CURTAIN) 

BEARD 

(Snow-White and Rose-Red are in a wood pick- 
ing up sticks for the fire. They see something near 
a tree, bobbing back and forth.) 

(plants put here and there Wn.L DO FOR THE 
WOOD.) 

Snotu-Wliite: What can that be, Rose-Red'? 
Rose-Red: Don't be afraid, Snow-White. Let 
us go and see. 
(They go nearer and see a dwarf with an old 
withered face and a very long snow-white beard. 
He has an ax in his hand. The end of the beard is 
caught in a crack of the tree, and the little fehow 
is jumping backward and forward like a dog tied to 
a rope. He glares at the girls with fiery eyes.) 

Dwar^f: Why do you stand there ^. Can you not 

come here and help me ? 
Rose-Fed: What are you about there, little 

man? 
Dtvarf: You stupid, prying goose! I had just 

driven the wedge in to split the tree to get 



14 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

a little wood for cooking. But the horrid 
wood was too smooth and the wedge flew out. 
The tree closed quickly and caught my beau- 
tiful white beard ! 
(The children tug at the beard but cannot get it 
out. ) 

Bose-Bed: I will run and fetch someone. 
Dtuarf (snarls, pulling at his beard) : You silly 

goose! and leave my beautiful beard this 

way! 
Snoiu-White: Don't be cross. I will help you. 
(She takes scissors out of her pocket and cuts off 
end of his beard.) 

Divarf (stamping about in rage) : Stupid things 
to cut off a piece of my beard ! 

(CURTAIN) 

BLUEBEARD 

(The two sisters, Fatima, Bluebeard's wife, and 
Anne, are seated embroidering. In comes Blue- 
beard. He has arrived home before they expect 
him. The sisters are startled. They rise and bow 
before him. Anne then leaves the room. Fatima 
goes forward to meet him. She shrinks from him 
as he comes near.) 

Bluebeard: Well, little wife, my business is 
done sooner than I expected. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US TLAY 15 

Fatiiua (in rather trembling tones) : So I see, 

my lord. 
Bluebeard (looking at her sharply) : Bring me 

my keys. 

(Fatima goes out. She brings them and hands 
them over with shaking fingers.) 

Blue!) card (searching among them) : I do not 
find here the key of the blue chamber, which 
I forbade you to open. 

Fatima (in frightened tones) : I must have left 
it in mv room. 

ft- 

Bluebeard (sternly) : Bring it then, at once. 

(She panses in terror, then goes ont, and brings 
back the key.) 

Bluebeard (looking at the key) : There is blood 

on this key. How came it there ? 
Fatima (trembling with fright) : I — I — 
Bluebeard (fiercely) : You know well, madam, 
how it came there. And I know too; you 
have opened the blue chamber against my 
orders. I hope you were pleased with what 
you saw. In another moment you yourself 
will be there with the rest. 
(He seizes her and drags her along the gronnd.) 

Fatima (shrieking) : My lord, my lord; do not 
kill me ! I will never disobey you again. 



16 WHEN" MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

Bluebeard (dragging lier along) : I'll take care 

of that. 
Fatima: Give me a few minutes to pray. Only 

a few minutes, dear lord. 
Bluebeard (flinging her down) : I will give you 

one quarter of an hour ; not a moment longer. 

(Fatima rushes out. Bluebeard goes out by an- 
other door. Anne comes into the room and looks 
out the window.) 

Fatima (calling from behind scenes) : Sister 

Anne! Sister Anne! Do you see anyone 

coming ? 
Anne: I see nothing but the sun glowing, and 

the grass growing. 
Fatima (a few minutes later) : Sister Anne ! 

Sister Anne ! Do you see anyone coming 'F 
Anne: I see nothing but the dust whirling. 
Fatima (eagerly) : Oh! is it my brothers? 
Anne: Alas, no; I see now it is naught but a 

flock of sheep. 
Bluebeard (outside, shouts) : The time is up. 

Come down ! 
Fatima: I am coming. 
Fatima (calling again): Sister Anne! Sister 

Anne! Do you see anyone coming'? 
Anne : I see two horsemen, but they are a great 

way off. 



WHEX :mother lets us play 17 

Fatima (joyfully): God be praised; they are 

my brothers. 
Bluebeard (striding in, with short sword in hand, 

and speaking in a voice of thunder) : Come 

Aovm ! or I will fetch you. 

(Anne runs out.) 

Fatima (coming in slowly, throws herself at her 
husband's feet) : Mercy, mercy! Grant 
me onlv a little time. 
Bluebeard: Your tears will not move me. You 
must die. 
(Again he seizes her by the hair and raises his 
arm to strike. At this moment a horn sounds a loud 
blast. Bluebeard rushes out to see who it is. He 
is met by the brothers, who fall upon him and kill 
him. Fatima and Anne, who has followed her 
brothers, embrace each other with joy.) 

(SIXGIXG BEHIXD SCENES TO SAME TUNE AS USED 
WITH THE FHIST WORD) : 

Blue is a sign 
Of all things true — 
But whisper low. 
And I'll tell to you 
That beards on chins 
Are not true blue. 

(CURTAIN) 



18 WHEN MOTHER LETS TJS PLAY 

OLD KING COLE 

PLAYEES 

Of first word : — Old lady, child. 

Of second word: — King, queen, herald, pages, 
lords, ladies, child, old man, two kings, sol- 
diers. 

Of third word : — Peddler, old woman, lazy boy, 
mother, other buyers. 

Of whole title: — King, two pages, three. fiddlers, 
courtiers. 

OLD 

(An old lady sits in an armchair, knitting. A 
child is playing abont the floor. After a minute or 
two the old lady lets her knitting fall into her lap 
and drops asleep, smihng. The child turns around, 
rests his chin on his hands, and looks at her. Soon 
he begins to think aloud about her.) 

Child: Grandmother is very old. Her face is 
all wrinkled and her hair is white. But her 
eyes, when they're ojoen and she's telling 
stories, shine like two bright stars. Grand- 
mother can tell wonderful stories. She's so 
old she must know a great deal. Why, she 
was alive before father and mother ; she must 
be very, very old ! 



WHEN MOTHEK LETS US TLAY 19 

KING 

(A boy is sitting among his playmates shaping a 
gold paper band into a crown. The others are look- 
ing at a book, in which they have been reading of 
a king. The boy begins to play being king. The 
others join in the play.) 

Boy: 

If I were a king (Putting- on crown.) 

I'd wear a crown, 
And hold my court 

In this very to^T.i. 
I 'd take my place 

On my throne of gold, 
And hear the wrongs 

Of young and old. 

(One girl plays the queen. Pages hold up or 
make believe to hold up the king's and queen's 
train. Ladies stand near queen, lords near 
king.) 

With a wave of my sceptre (Waving his sceptre.) 

I 'd summon my slaves 
To drive from the town 
All wicked knaves. 

(A herald with trnmpet at his lips cries, '^Oyez, 
Oyez! Let anyone who has been wronged come to 
the king.'' A boy leading an old man comes in. 



20 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

He and the old man kneel before the king, and point 
to one of the lords.) 

(Two king's soldiers appear; they drive out the 
lord.) 

Then I 'd give a great feast 

And a splendid ball 
And invite all my subjects 

From liut to hall. 

(All form in procession: herald with trumpet at 
lips, king and queen with pages holding trains, lords 
and ladies two by two, old man and boy, others.) 

(CURTAIN) 

COLE (Coal) 

(Along comes a pedler with a cart or wheelbarrow 
of coal.) 

Pedler (sings) : 

Coal, coal, coal, 

To keep old Winter out ! 
Coal, coal, coal, 

Good housewives, all come out. 
(Out hobbles a little old woman with a small pail.) 

Pedler (stopping, and taking up his shovel) : 
How much do you want, Goody % 

Old tvoman (in high squeaky voice) : Not so 
fast. Master Pedler, not so fast. How do 
you sell your coaK 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 21 

Pedler (singing, as he fills the scuttles of one or 
two others, who have come out) : 

Sixpence the bushel, 
Three pence the pail, 
If I don't give good measure 
Then send me to jail. 

Old woman (in coaxing tone) : Take two pence 
now from a poor old woman; there's a sweet 
lad. 

Pedler (getting ready to move on) : 

Sixpence the bushel. 
Three pence the pail; 
If I don't give good measure 
Then send me to jail. 

Old woman (holding up her small pail) : Such 

a little pail, sweet lad — 
Pedler (catching it up) : 

A pail ! nay, 'tis a cup ! 

For one penny, Goody, 

I'll fill this up. 
(He does so. The old woman fishes up a penny 
from a deep pocket, and hobbles off with the coal, 
in high good humor.) 

Pedler (moving off) : 

Coal, coal, coal. 

To keep old Winter out. 



22 WHE:Nr mother lets us play 

Coal, coal, coal, 
Good housewives, all come out. 

(As he disappears an angry woman with sleeves 
rolled np pushes forward a sleepy boy. She thrusts 
a scuttle into the boy's hand.) 

Angry ^voman: There, sleepy head, he's gone 
now and I haven 't a bit of coal in the house. 
Of all the lazy — 

(She makes a clutch at the boy. He dodges and 
runs off.) 

Pedler (in distance) : 

Coal, coal, coal. 
To 

(CURTAIN) 

OLD KING COLE 

(King Cole, fat and merry-looking, sits on a 
throne. A page stands at either side, a step or two 
back. Three fiddlers are at the rear of the room, 
one sleeping, the others laughing and talking. 

King Cole (in loud hearty tone) : 

What ho! 

My pipe and bowl. 

(The pages advance and with a bow present them. 
King Cole takes a long drink and puffs at his pipe.) 



WHEN MOTHER LETS TS TLAY 23 

King Cole: 

And now, bully boys, 
Let's have some noise; 
Call up our fiddlers three ! 

(One of the king's officers orders them forward, 
shaking the sleeping one so hard that the poor man 
rolls on the ground. Here he sits up, rubs his 
bumped head, sees the otlier fiddlers going forward, 
seizes his fiddle and catches up with them. 

The fiddlers begin to play, the king keeping time 
with his foot and his pipe. From behind the scenes 
comes the song to the fiddlers' tune:) 

SOXG 

(Old King Cole) (This line hummed, 

Was a merry old soul, ^'^^ ^^'^-^ 

And a merry old soul was he ; 

He called for his pipe, 

And he called for his bowl. 

And he called for his fiddlers three. 

And every fiddler had a fine fiddle 
And a very fine fiddle had he, 
^^ Twiddle dee, twiddle dee!" 
Said the fiddlers three : 
Oh, there 's none so rare 
As can compare 

With (King Cole) {^^me is to be 

and his fiddlers three. ^^™^'^^' ^^"^ ^"^^'^ 
(CURTAIN) 



24 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 




Spiuuiug Tales. 



WHEN .MUTliEK LETS US I'LAY 25 

ALICE IN WONDERLAND 
ALICE 

Little children are seated in a circle an older 
child telling them this story : 

Little Alice 

In a palace 

Peaked and 

Pined away, 

Till the doctor 

Said, quite solemn: 

'^She must run 

And play 

With the healthy 

Village children 

All the livelong day !'^ 

So they sent 
An invitation 
Instant on its way 
•To the blacksmith's 
Little daughter 
To come up and play 
In the palace 
With sweet Alice; 
And as sure as you 
When they asked her 



26 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

What her name was 
She said Alice too ! 

So that Alice 

In a palace 

Runs and romps all day, 

And that other now no longer 

Peaks and pines away. 

(CURTAIN) 

IN 

(Boy or girl calls to playmates, who are hiding:) 

Come in, come in. 
Wherever you are ! 
Come in, come in, 
Wherever you are ! 

They run in, crying, ^^ What's the matter'?" 
The one who called asks, ^^Is everyone inl" 
'^Yes, yes," answer the others. 

^^Then you're in and I'm out," shouts he, mak- 
ing off. 

(CURTAIN) 

WONDERLAND 

Some boys (or girls) arrive at a strange place. 
They look about in wonder at a shrinking giant, a 
dwarf, and a riddUng hand. The giant stalks np 



WHEN MOTHER LETS TS PLAY 27 

and down, shrinking and stretching. The dwarf 
grins at them. The hand gives them a riddle. 

To play the shrinking giant: Put a giant's false 
face and wig on the straw end of a sweeping-broom. 
Fasten a stick or a clothes-hanger to form the shoul- 
ders of the giant. Over this hang a very long cloak. 
Now carry the broom, head up, covering yourself 
with the cloak. Make yourself tall or short by mov- 
ing the broom handle up and down. 

To play the dwarf: You need two for this part. 
One stands behind a table covered with a cloth that 
hides him from the waist down. He slips his hands 
into a child's socks and small shoes placed on the 
table. The other hidden behind this one, passes his 
arms round the first so that his hands look from the 
front like the dwarf's hands. The dwarf may wear 
a pointed beard and a peaked cap or a turban. 

To play the riddling hand: Stand behind a 
screen or curtain and thrust out your right hand, 
putting down the fourth and fifth fingers. Hold the 
first finger straight up, and the middle finger at a 
slant between the thumb and first finger. On the 
top joint of the first finger, mark out a face in char- 
coal. Put on the finger a brightly-colored handker- 
chief knotted at one corner. (The little man now 
wears a cap. The rest of the handkerchief forms 
his robe.) When you ask the riddle, make the little 
man nod his head and wave his arms, as if it is he 
who is speaking. 



28 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

Hand (giving the riddle) : ' How many wonders 
in Wonderland ^ 

One of the children: What a question! 

Another: Nobody knows the answer to it. 

Hand: That's what makes it a riddle! 

The children: Oh, it's a riddle, is if? 

Hand: Yes. How many wonders in Wonder- 
land *? 

A child: Why, one, of course! 

Gtan^ (stalking up) : Which one? I'm a won- 
der ! 

Dtvarf (waving his arms and grinning horribly) : 
So am I! 

Finger (wagging up and down, screams) : So 
am I. 

The child: I don't mean that at all. I mean in 
Wonderland. 
The three begin to cry, ^ ^ I 'm the wonder of all 

Wonderland. I — ' ' 

(CURTAIN) 

ALICE IN WOITOERLAND 

PLAYERS 

Alice : A little girl. 

The Mock Turtle : A taller girl or boy wearing 
over his ordinary clothes stiff paper or 
leather shaped and painted to look like tur- 
tle shell. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 29 

The Gryphon : A girl or boy, taller than Alice, 
wearing over his clothes something whose 
upper half looks like an eagle's head and 
whose lower half looks like a lion 's skin. 

WHAT THE PLAYERS DO 

The three players, Alice in the centre, do and 
sav what is told below: 
(From Lewis Carroll's ^^ Alice in Wonderland.") 

The Mock Turtle sighed deeply, and drew the 
back of one flapper across his eyes. He looked 
at Alice and tried to speak, but, for a minute 
or two, sobs choked his voice. ^^Same as if he 
had a bone in his throat," said the Gryphon; 
and it set to work shaking him and punchmg 
him in the back. At last the Mock Turtle, with 
tears running dowTi his cheeks, went on again: 

^^You may not have lived much under the 
sea — (^^I haven't," said Alice) — and per- 
haps you were never even introduced to a lob- 
ster — (Alice began to say, ^^I once tasted — " 
but checked herself hastily, and said, ^'No, 
never") — so you can have no idea what a de- 
lightful thing a Lobster-Quadrille is!" 

^'No, uideed," said Alice. ''What sort of 
dance is iti" 

''Why," said the Gryphon, "you first form 
into a line along the sea-shore — " 



30 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

^^Two lines!" cried the Mock Turtle. ^^ Seals, 
turtles, salmon, and so on: then, when you've 
cleared all the jellyfish out of the way — '' 

^^That generally takes some time," interrupted 
the Gryphon. 

" — you advance twice — " 

^^Each with a lobster as a partner!" cried the 
Gryphon. 

'^Of course," the Mock Turtle said; ^^ advance 
twice, set to partners — " 

^' — change lobsters, and retire in same order," 
continued the Gryphon. 

^^Then, you know," the Mock Turtle went on, 
^ ' you throw the — ' ' 

' ' The lobsters ! ' ' shouted the Gryphon, with a 
bound into the air. 

'' — as far out to sea as you can — " 

' ' Swim after them ! ' ' screamed the Gryphon. 

' ' Turn a somersault in the sea ! ' ' cried the Mock 
Turtle, capering wildly about. 

' ' Change lobsters again ! ' ' yelled the Gryphon, 
at the top of its voice. 

^^Back to land again, and — that's all the first 
figure, ' ' said the Mock Turtle, suddenly dropping 
his voice; and the two creatures, who had been 
jumping about like mad things all this time, sat 
down again very sadly and quietly, and looked at 
Alice. 

(CURTAIN) 



WHEN MO'I^HER LETS US PLAY 31 



GIVING OUT CHARADES 

Read or tell, and let the others guess what the 
word is : 

I am a word made up of two small words. My 
first is a bright color, my second gives a sound, 
and my whole is a wild flower. 

(Blue-bell.) 

I am a word made up of two small words. My 
first is a fruit, my second is a fruit, and my tuhole 
is a fruit. 

(Crab-apple.) 

I am a word of three letters. 
My first you will find in a tortoise shell cat ; 
The place for my second is inside your hat ; 
My third is an insect you often may see; 
When it rains, some people take shelter in me. 

(Cab.) 

I am a word made up of two small words. 
In the winter time my first is seen. 
When the weather's keen and cold; 
And straight into my second made 
By joyous children young and old. 
If now my whole you 'Id surely find 
First and second you must bind, 



32 WHElSr MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

And plain before your eyes you'll see 
A winter favorite in round soft me. 

(Snowball.) 

We are little airy creatures, 

All of different form and features ; 

One of us in glass is set, 

A second will be found in jet ; 

And one of us is cased in tin, 

And a fourth a box within ; 

If tbe -fifth you would pursue, 

It can never fly from you. 

— Jonathan Swift. 
(The vowels a, e, i, o, u.) 

Make some up. Here are good w^ords : Side- 
hoard , ice-cream^ mushroom. You will think of 
many more. 

MAKING UP PLAYS FOR CHARADES 

Try making up plays for charades. These 
names would make good ones : 

Little Red Riding Hood 
Jack and the Bean Stalk 
Old Mother Huhhard 

(Bring in the word so that it will be the chief 
thing in the play, but not so that you give away the 
charade.) 



WHEX MOTHER LETS ITS PLAY 



33 




No 3 





-c^or 



PICTURE NAMES OF PLACES 

What place does the picture name *? 
Make up picture names for other places in 
America^ in Europe, near your home. 



34 



WHEN" MOTHER LETS US pLAY 







tan 





Picture Names of Places. 



(See page 33) 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 35 



PUZZLES IN SPELLING 

Are YOU a good speller"? 
Spell live mouse-traj) with three letters. 

(c-a-t) 

Spell dried grass ^Adth three letters. 

(h-a-y) 
Spell hard water with three letters. 

(i-c-e) 
Spell frozen rain with four letters. 

(h-a-i-1) 

Spell ground wheat with five letters. 

(f-1-o-u-r) 

Pease porridge hot, 
Pease porridge cold, 
Pease porridge in the pot, 

Nine davs old. 

«/ 

Spell me tliat in four letters. 

(t-h-a-t) 

Spell with three letters something to cover the 
head. 

(h-a-t) 
Spell cow with four letters. 

(b-e-e-f) 
Spell young sheep with four letters. 

(1-a-m-b) 



36 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

Spell sheep with six letters. 

(m-u-t-t-o-n) 

If when you 're hungry 
You would eat, 
Join me at once 
And take your seat. 

(me at — meat) 

Take four initials from the winds, 
And in a certain order place ; 
You've tidings straight from every land, 
I know it by your face. 

(K E. W. g.— news) 

What word is shorter when you add a syllable 
to if? 

(Short.) 

Can you spell coffee-pot without spelling tea- 
pot? 

(C-o-f, cof, f-ee, fee, coffee, p-o-t, pot. 
You said t pot,) 

Make one word of the letters in new door. 

(One word.) 

When may donkey be spelled with one letter ? 

(When it is you (u).) 

Make up some yourself. 

O me ! have you heard ? 
The head's off a word. , 



■WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



37 







Proverbs in Pictures. 



38 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 





PROVERBS IN PICTURES 

Tell the proverb by the picture. 

Get up a ^'proverbs in pictures" contest. Ap- 
point judges of the pictures. Award a prize for 
the best. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 39 



CUTTING WORDS' HEADS OEF 

Leave me whole and I'm something to sit in, 
Cut off my head and I grow on yours ; 
Behead me again and I '11 be near you 
Day and night while life endures. 

(Chair, hair, air.) 

Put on my whole and fast you may whirl 
Over the ice on a winter's day, 
Strike off my head and out steps a girl 
With a bloom on her cheeks like buds in May. 
Behead me again and I change to a word 
That tells all too plainly what dog did to bird. 

(Skate, Kate, ate.) 

Whole, I go round with you over the land, 
Behead me and you have me under your foot. 
Behead me again and out I'll wriggle 
To seek the dee]3 waters of finny land. 

(Wheel, heel, eel.) 

Whole, I 'ni the fruit of the rixoening grain ; 
Golden in sunshine, sparklmg in rain ; 
Behead me, I 'm daughter of light and of fire ; 
Take my head off again if so you desire ; 
But before you go on any farther than that 
Behead me once more to see what you're at. 

(Wheat, heat, eat, at.) 



40 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



When whole I crawl down garden path, 
My house I carry on my back ; 
Though you behead me I am longer 
Than a pigmy carpet tack ; 
"When next you strike be sure to hit 
Not your finger but my head ; 
Alas, you've left me in such plight 
I must betake me to my bed. 

(Snail, nail, ail.) 

Try making up some, in rhyme or not, as you 
please. It is good fun. Here are a few words : 
plate (late^ ate) ; eup {up) ; staMe (tahle^ able) ; 
glance (lance) ; charm (harm^ arm) ; glowing 
(lowing y owing ^ wing). You will think of many 
others. 




WHEX MOTHER LETS US TLAY -^1 



MAKING WORD SQUARES 

Did you ever try squaring words ^ The words 
you square must have the same number of letters 
in them and spell the same when read down and 
to the right ; thus : 

cat hop pot bay 

ate one ore aye 

tea pet tea yes 



tin 




fond 




ice 




Ohio 




net 




nine 
does 




Try some 


yourself ; begin 


thus 




boy 




man 









a 




J 




n 


and fill out the square. 





42 WHEN l\1()'nii:il LM'IVS lis rhAY 



PUZZLES IN ARITHMETIC 

I asked a woniaii liow many ducks she had. 
She said: ^Must now, as they ran down the 
]3ath to tlu^ j)()nd, I saw there was a diiek in front 
of two dneks, a duek behind two dueks, and a 
duck between two ducks." How many ducks 
were there? 

(Three chicks, one after the other.) 

A certain room has eight corners. In every 
corner sits a cat, on every cat's tail sits a cat, and 
before eacli cat is a cat. How many cats in the 
room ? 

( I^hght cats.) 

Arrange as a square the numbers 1 tlirough 9, 
making three rows of three figures each. The 
sum of each add(ul uj), down, or across must be 
15. 

'2 !) 4 
7 5 a 
(> 1 8 

A man has to cross a river with a fox, a goose, 
and some corn, but his little boat will liold only 
one at a time. Now if he should leave the fox 
and tlie goose and take the corn, the fox would 
ent the goose. And if* he sliould leave the goose 



WKKN iSlOTHKK FJ-Vrs IS I'l.AY 



43 



and ilic corn and lake I lie fox, ilic v^oo^c woidd 
(\'ii Iho corn. VVliai is he (o do i* 

(Take fii'st tlio gooS(», IIkmi llic I'ox, ncxi hi'ini;- 
ili(^ i;-oos(' hack willi him, Ihcn caiTy ih(^ corn 
o\'cr and (M)nic hack for lh(^ t^oosc.) 

4'rv niakin;;- np some ariilnnciic |)n///lcs. 




44 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



PLAYING PROVERBS 

Half the children at a time may be players and 
half audience. The players decide on a proverb 
and play it before the audience. The audience 
may have three chances to guess the proverb. It 
is wise to appoint two judges whose duty it is to 
say whether the proverb has been played fairly. 

Here are some good proverbs to play : 

A cat may look at a king. 

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy^ 

A stitch in time saves nine. 

A rolling stone gathers no moss. 

Better late than never. 

Make hay while the sun shines. 

Many hands make light work. 

Too many cooks spoil the broth. 

When the cat's away the mice will play. 

Look before you leap. 

Give a prize to the one who guesses most 
proverbs. 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 45 

RIDDLES 

See whether your plajanates will guess these. 

A riddle, a riddle, as I suppose, 
A hundred eyes and never a nose. 

(A cinder.) 

As I went over Lincoln Bridge, 
I met Mister Rusticap ; 
Pins and needles on his back, 
A-going to Thorny fair. 



(A hedgehog.) 



As round as an apple, 
As deep as a cup. 
And all the king's horses 
Can't pull it up. 



(A well.) 



Long legs, crooked thighs. 
Little head and no eyes. 

(A pair of tongs.) 

As I went through the garden ga|). 
Whom should I meet but Dick Red Cap! 
A stick in his hand, a stone in his throat. 
If you'll tell me this riddle I'll give you a 
groat. 

(A cherry.) 



46 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

Little Nancy Etticoat, 
In a white petticoat, 
With a red nose; 
The longer she stands, 
The shorter she grows. 

(A candle.) 

I have a little sister, they call her Peep, Peep. 
She wades the waters, deep, deep, deep ; 
She climbs the mountains high, high, high ; 
Poor little creature, she has but one eye. 

(A star.) 

Formed long ago, yet made to-day. 
And most employed when others sleep ; 
What few would like to give away. 
And fewer still to keep. 

— Hon, James Fox 

(A bed.) 
Thirty white horses 
On a red hill ; 
Now they tramp, 
Now they stamp, 
Now they stand still. 

(The teeth.) 

I saw you where you never were. 
And where you could not be. 
And yet within that very place 
Tour face I often see. 

(In a looking-glass.) 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 47 

Though I dance at a ball, 
Yet I 'm nothing at all : 
What am I? 

(A shadow.) 

Pray tell me the answer I beg : 
It has a broad foot 
But no sign of a leg. 

(A hill.) 

If a pig wore a wig, 
What should we say ? 

(Treat him as a gentleman 
And say, ^^Good day.") 
If his tail chanced to fail, 
What should we do "I 

(Send him to the tailoress 
To get one new.) 

— Cliristina G. Rossetti 

It has only one ej^e 

And that cannot see, 
But my sister says, 

'^It is useful to me." 

(A needle.) 

(Who Avere they?) 
As I was walking through the woods, 
I heard them titter, ^'Te-he-he: 



48 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

We've brought our trunks, but what's the use. 
We haven't any lock or key." 

(Trees.) 
It is neither rich nor rare, 
With small round head and ne'er a hair. 

(A pin.) 
Old Mother Twitchett 
Has but one eye, 
And a long tail 
Which she lets fly, 
And every time 
She goes over a gap 
She leaves a bit of her tail 
In a trap. 

(A needle and thread.) 

There is something 

That hasn't a leg to stand on, 
But a round white face 

With a short and long hand on. 

(A clock.) 

Here I come creeping, creeping everywhere ; 

By the dusty roadside. 

On the sunny hillside, 

Close by the noisy brook, 

In every shady nook, 

I come creeping, creeping everywhere. 

— Sarah Roberts Boyle, 
(The grass.) 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 49 



I met a little lady, 

A stranger here mayliap ; 
She wore a gown of green, 

She wore a scarlet cap. 

Graceful was her figure, 

Her manners very fine ; 
A fairy airy creature, 

Her name was — — Mary F, Butts 

(Columbine.) 

Eagle of flowers ! I see thee stand 

And on the sun's noon-glory gaze; 
With eye like his, thy lids expand. 

And fringe their disk with golden rays. 

— Montgomery, 
(The sunflower) 

Many, many welcomes, 

February fair-maid, 

Eyer as of old time 

Solitary firstling. 

Coming in the cold time, 

Pro23het of the gay time, 

Prophet of the May time. 

Prophet of the roses, 

Many, many welcomes 

February fair-maid. — Tennyson 

(The snowdrop.) 



50 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

There is a flower, a little flower, 

With silver crest and golden eye, 
That welcomes every changing hour 
And weathers every sky. 

— James Montgomery 

(The daisy.) 

There is one that has a head without an eye. 
And there's one that has an eye without a 
head : 
You may find the answer if you try; 

And when all is said, 
Half the answer hangs upon a thread ! 

— Christina G, Rossetti 
(A needle and thread.) 




WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 51 

CONUNDRUMS 

What is the highest public building in this 
part of the world ? 

(The i)ublic library has the most stories.) 

I'll tell you something that will tickle you. 
Whaf? 

(A feather.) 

Why is a crying baby like a sunflower ^ 

(Because it's mostly yell-o(w.) 

What is it that goes 

Up and down, 

Up and down, 

Touching neither sky nor ground ^ 

(A pump handle.) 

What is it that comes once in a minute, twice in 
a moment, and never in a thousand years ^ 

(The letter M.) 

When do you become a country of South 
America ? 

(When you are Chile.) 

What kind of ears has an engine "? 

(Engineers.) 

What key is the hardest to turn ^ 

(A donkey. )^ 



52 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

When are cooks cruel ^ 

(When they beat eggs and whip cream.) 

What is that which goes up the hill and down 
the hill, and yet stands still 'F 

(The road.) 

What is that which is full of holes and yet 
holds water 'F 

(A sponge.) 
Why are washerwomen great travelers ? 
(Because they often go from pole to pole.) 

When is a clock on the stairs dangerous "? 

(When it runs down and strikes one.) 

When is a chair like a lady's dress ? 

(When it is sat in.) 

What word may ISe pronounced quicker by 
adding a syllable to it "? 

(Quick.) 

Who dares sit before the Queen with his hat 
on? 

(The coachman.) 

What looks most like the half of a cheese ? 

(The other half.) 

If the alphabet were going out to a party when 
would the last six letters start 1 

(After T.) 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 53 

What is the best thmg to put into pies "I 

(Your teeth.) 

Which are the oldest knives or forks ^ 

(Fingers and teeth.) 

What makes more noise than a pig under the 
fence '^ 

(Two pigs.) 

When was beef highest "? 

(When the cow jumped over the moon.) 

Why is the sound of a bell like a circle of gold "? 

(Because it is a ring.) 

Why do the queen's pages remind you of a 
railway "? 

(Because they are trainbearers.) 

Why is the alphabet like the mail ? 

(Because it has letters in it.) 

When is a sailor not a sailor ^ 

(When he is a-board.) 

How can a boy make his jacket lasf? 

(By making his coat and waistcoat first.) 

On what toe does a corn never come 1 

(The mistletoe.) 

Why is an axe like coffee "? 

(It must be ground before it can be used.) 



54 WHEN" MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

On what side of a house does a yew-tree grow ? 

(The outside.) 

"Why are washerwomen silly people ^ 
(Because they put out their tubs to catch soft 
water when it rains hard.) 

What is the oldest piece of furniture in your 
house ? 

(The multiplication table.) 

How do we know that the cow jumped over 
the moon ? 

(By the Milky Way.) 

Why is a mischievous boy like a bottle of pat- 
ent medicine "? 

(When taken he must be well taken.) 

On what side of the mug is the handle ^ 

(The outside.) 

If you call a sheep's tail a leg, how many legs 
will he have ? 

(Four ; calling a thing so doesn't make it so.) 

Why do you always put on your left shoe last ? 
(When you have put one on, the other is left.) 

What is the longest word in the language ^ 
(Smiles: there is a mile between the first and 
the last letter.) 



WHEN MOTHER LETS TS TLAY 55 

Tell me the name of the oldest Avhistler in the 
world and of the tune he whistles ? 

(The wind; he whistles ^^Over the hills and 
far away. ' ') 

How may yon change a pumpkin into a 
squash "? 

(Throw it up and it will come down a squash.) 

What is white and black and red (read) all 
over ? 

(A newspaper.) 

Why is a policeman like a rainbow ^ 
(Because he rarely appears until the storm is 
over.) 

Why are clouds like coachmen '? 
(Because they hold the rains (reins).) 

What is that which you may keep after giving 
to someone else ^ 

(Your word.) 

What is that which is invisible yet never out 
of sight? 

(The letter S,) 

What is the color of a grass plot covered with 
snow? 

(Invisible green.) 

What animal carries baggage ? 

(The elephant carries his trunk.) 



56 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

What did Abraham Lincoln answer when 
asked how long a man's legs should be '^, 

(Long enough to reach the ground.) 

What two animals follow you everywhere ? 

(Your calves.) 
There are 
Three of us in six, 
And five of us in seven, 
Four of us in nine. 
And six in eleven. 
Who are we ^ 

(Letters.) 

What is taken from you before you can get it ? 

(Your portrait.) 

When does a farmer behave rudely towards 
his corn? 

(When he pulls its ears.) 

Why would a spider make a good one to write 
letters to '^ 

(He drops a line by every post.) 

Where is the largest diamond kept ? 

(In the baseball field.) 

How might you remove A from the alphabet ^ 

(B-head it.) 

What insect attends school f 

(The spelling bee.) 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 57 

What is the key of good manners ? 

(Be naturaL) 

Which is bigger, Mr. Bigger or Mr. Bigger 's 
baby"? 

(The baby is a little Bigger.) 

He can do little 
Who cannot do this. 




58 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

THE DO AS I DO CLUB 

All except two of the players go out of the 
room, closing the door. The two left call one 
in and tell him he may join their club if he 
guesses its name. They politely give him a 
chair. The two now make every movement he 
makes and repeat every word he says. If he 
guesses the name ''The Do As I Do Club/' they 
shake hands with him and tell him he is now a 
member and may help to admit others. If, after 
a fair chance, he cannot guess they tell him he 
is not yet fit to join and politely bow him out of 
the room, calling in the next. 

The name should be guessed in a whisper, that 
it may not be heard by those outside. 




WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 59 



ALPHABET RHYMES 

^^Are you sure of your ABC's "?" 

^'Yes, and my D's and T's." 
Then without loss of time 
Turn a neat alphabet rhjone. 



60 WHEN MOTHER LETS rS PLAY 



MAKING RHYMING ALPHABETS 

It is fun to make up rhyming alphabets, each 
player making a rhyme for a letter. Buy the 
wooden or cardboard letters in a toyshop, or cut 
large letters out of newspapers. Put them into 
a box, shake up, and give out to the players. Al- 
low two minutes for the rhyme. Have the 
rhymes read in alphabetical order. Demand a 
forfeit from any player who fails to make a 
rhyme. The forfeit may be saying the alphabet 
backwards from any letter, wearing a dunce cap, 
wearing down the back a card printed, ABC 
Class. 

Here are a few rhymes to show you how to do 
it: 

A was an apple 

That grew on a tree. 

Till the wind sent it tumbling 

Thump on me. 

B was a bumble bee, 
Burly and big. 
He stung my left ear 
And my feet danced a jig. 

C was a cherry, 

So round and so red. 



AVHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 61 

With a stick in his hand 
And a stone in his head. 

D was a dumpling 
Of apples and cream, 
If you ate one at night 
You had a bad dream. 

Go on with the alphabet. 

Make up a rhTOiing alphabet like the one in 
Mother Goose : 

A was an apple-pie 
B bit it 
C cut it 
D dealt it 

and so on. Yours might be : 

A was an alligator 
B bleated at it 
C caught at it 
D ducked for it 
E entreated it 
F frightened it 
G giggled at it 
H halloed at it 

and so on. 



62 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAT 

Make up animal rhyming alphabets, all the 
rhymes to be about animals ; for example, 

ANIMAL 

A was an antelope, 
Graceful and fleet ; 
When he heard the hound's cry 
He beat a retreat. 

B was a bear, 

Burly and big; 

He stood on his hind legs 

And danced with a pig. 

Make up toy rhyming alphabets ; for example, 

TOY 

A was an air ship 
That through the air soared ; 
The birds saw it passing 
And cried, ^^AU aboard." 

Make up story people rhyming alphabets ; for 
example. 

A was Alice 

In wonderland, 

Where she did some things 

She hadn't planned. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



63 



YE MERRIE FESTIVAL 

Garlanded and crowned, 
Gather we around, 
To greet with song and play 
This gladsome festal day. 




64 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



MAY DAY 

The most charming way to celebrate May Day 
is to dress in white and walk in procession to a 
nearby wood or park. Here some of you should 
make a throne of moss and boughs for the May 
Queen. Some should weave for her a crown and 
sceptre of flowers. Some should go off to find a 
tall, slim pole to be used as the May pole. The 
rest should weave wreaths of spring flowers for 
everyone and twine garlands to be wound about 
the May pole. 

When everything is ready, choose the May 
Queen, lead her to the throne, crown her and 
give her the sceptre of flowers, crying, ^'Hail, 
Queen of the May!" Now bring the May pole, 
and fasten the garlands to the top. Two of you 
may now hold the May pole firmly in place, the 
rest catch up the ends of the garlands and 
circling about the pole, twine them about it, as 
they sing spring songs. 

After this, it is time to go home, carrying the 
May pole and singing. 

Here is a spring poem to sing : 



WHEK MOTHER LETS rs PLAY 65 



SPRING 

Spring, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant 

king; 
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a 

ring. 
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing. 
Cuckoo, jug- jug, pu-we, to-witta-^YOo ! 

The palm and May make country houses gay, 
Lambs frisk and play, the sheiDherds pi23e all 

day, 
And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay, 
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo. 

— Thomas Nash 

Play this in honor of the New Year. Invite 
your parents to it. 



66 WHEK MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



A NEW YEAR'S PAGEANT OF GOOD RESOLUTIONS 

The claildren greet tlie young New Year, as he is 
crowned by Father Time, and declare their good 
resolutions. 

PLAYEES 

The New Tear : — A young child. 
Father Time : — One of the older children. 
Reverence to Parents : — First child. 
Kindness to Animals : — Second child. 
Attention to Studies : — Third child. 
Enjoyment of Play: Fourth child. 
Little children as birds, other children as singers 
and dancers. 

COSTUMES 
(IF DESIRED) 

The New Year : White with silver border, cloak 
of cotton batting painted with black spots 
(to look like ermine), silver crown and scep- 
tre, number of year showing on crown. 

Father Time : White wig and beard, long brown 
robe, in hand scythe or sickle of cardboard. 

Reverence to Parents: White, wreath and 
bouquet of white roses. 

Kindness to Animals: White, wreath and 
bouquet of red roses. 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 67 

7 




The New Year Crowned by Father Time. 



68 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

Attention to Studies : White, book in hand. 
Enjoyment of Play: White, wreath of green 

smilax, kite in hand. 
Birds : Brown. 
The rest of the children : White, blue ribbons. 

(On a throne is seated the New Year. Fa- 
ther Time places in his hand a sceptre and on his 
head a crown. From all sides children troop 
joyously toward the throne.) 

FATHER TIME 

Here come the children, 
O little New Year, 
With promises sweet 
Thee to greet; 
Quick feet dancing, 
Glad eyes glancing 
Joy's new birth 
Into every vein 
Of the wishful earth. 
Here at thy feet 
They would repeat 
Their firm resolves 
Of service meet. 



WHEN ]MOTHEll LETS US PLAY 69 

THE FIEST CHILD 

AS 

EEVEREXCE TO PARENTS 

(Stepping forward.) 

O parents dear, whom I love best 
And in whose love I'm richly blest, 
Thy words I firm resolve to heed 
And prove my love by loving deed. 
No fretful frown I'll e'er allow 
Lodgment on my childish brow, 
Within mv heart ino'ratitude 
Shall ne'er its ugly form intrude, 
But love and reverence there shall rest 
Sovereign lord within my breast. 

THE SECOND CHLLD 

AS 

KINDNESS TO ANIMALS 

(Stepping forward.) 
I'll hurt no helpless living thing. 
Crawling worm or birds that sing. 
Fish that in the waters cool 
Hide for fear in shady pool. 
Frisky colt whose back I stride. 
Cat or dog the hearth beside ; 
But with all creatures, I will dwell, 
Whether of sea or earth or air. 
In gentleness and friendship fair. 



70 



WHEN" MOTHER LETS ITS PLAY 



While the Third Child is speaking, a cage, full of 
very little children as birds, is formed on one side 
of the stage, hidden by the children standing near 
the throne. At the last words these children move 
aside and see it. They open the door (draw back 
the ribbons) and set the birds free. 

To form the cage : A tall child holds a pole with 
a spreading yellow top like that of an nmbrella; 
yellow ribbons from the center of the top's npper 
side fall to the floor as the wire bars. 

The birds huddle inside the cage, peeping faintly. 

SONG 

OF 
CHILDREN SETTING BIRDS FREE 



We'll open the door of the 

captive cage 
And set all the wild birds 
free! 
Hark ! the whirr of wing, 
As the birds upspring ! 

Away through the air and 

sunshine bright, 
Up to the blue of heaven's 
height, 
They wing and soar, 
To droop no more 1 



(The little children, 
moving their arms as if 
birds' wings, fly about 
and off the stage.) 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



71 




The Birds Are Set Free. 



72 WHEN MOTHER LETS ITS PLAY 

In the leafy bough of the 

forest tree 
They'll nest, and sing in 

ecstasy 
Bird melody ^^.^,^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^-^^^ 

Of wild joy, free! behind the scenes.) 

THE THHID CHILD 

AS 

ATTENTION" TO STUDIES 

Knowledge I'll seek and helpful skill. 
My lessons do with cheerful will, 
Tables I'll con till to 9 times 6 
The answer comes pat as conjurer's tricks, 
I '11 know all the words in the spelling book 
Nor think to depend on a last good look, 
I '11 turn from a story to do my sums 
And shut my ears to the roll of drums, 
When soldiers come marching down my street 
I '11 twist my toes round the chair legs ' feet ; 
The master's commands I'll straight obey 
Nor let my thoughts inattentive stray. 
Rebuke I '11 take with heart all meek, 
And diligent will I wisdom seek. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 73 

THE FOURTH CHILD 

AS 

ENJOYMENT OF FLAY 

(Bounding forward.) 

When tasks are done, with joyous shout 

I '11 call my playmates to come out, 

And away we '11 go with a whoop and a sprmg, 

To wrestle and tumble, to catch and fling, 

To run a race to a distant goal. 

Or roll a hoop or climb a pole. 

To walk on stilts at a dizzy height 

All thuigs to view with a loftier sight, 

To wave my cap and never fall 

And pretend not to be on stilts at all; 

O little New Year, I'd love to play 

From morn till night each summer's day. 

But as I am resolved no task to shirk 

I'll stop my play when it's time for work. 

(All the chiklren, led by Enjoyment of Play, sing 
and do joyously what the song tells. All their 
movements are in time to the music of the song.) 

PLAY AND SONG OF JOYOUS CHILDREN 
Two by two; (Ttiey march two by two.) 

March out of school. 
Careful not to 
Break the rule, 



74 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



Bed line in, 
And red line out, 
Now we circle 
All about. 



(They play red line; with 
as little breaking of the line 
as possible they form a cir- 
cle.) 



Squat tag, 
Cross tag, 
Puss-in-corner ; 
Mary's caught. 
Hush ! don 't warn her. 



(They squat, cross fingers, 
play puss-in-the-corner.) 



Hide and seek, 
And marble statues. 
Still, don't move — 



(They play hide and seek, 
and marble statues.) 



Hark, the bell 1 
Mark it well ! 
Recess is done, 
Into school 
Goes everyone. 



(A bell sounds; all stop 
playing.) 



Two by two, 
March into school, 
Careful not to 
Break the rule. 



(They march off, leaving 
grouped about the New Year 
the four resolutions.) . 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



75 



FATHER TIME 

(Moving off.) 

Speed on thy way, 
O happy New Year ; 
In every place 
Children will greet thee 
With smiling face : 
Make them strong to do 
And patient to bear ; 
Let love attend them 
Everywhere ! 
(CURTAIN) 

In onr wild menagerie 
Beasties mar-vel-ous you'll see! 




76 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



A WILD BEAST SHOW 





PLAYERS 


Showman 


Hyena 


Keeper 


Panther 


Lioness 


Tiger 


Bear 


Monkey 




Lion 



(The beasts are of course boys or girls covered 
with animals ' skins. The yard may be a back room 
with folding doors or curtains. The cages may be 
made with screens covered in front with netting. 
The chairs for the people may be in the front room. 

Make the show as ^'real-looking'' as possible. At 
the entrance, print np in large letters the price of 
admission (so many pins or buttons, or perhaps a 
foreign stamp). The ticket-taker may keep calling, 
''Get your tickets here for the wonderful wild beast 
show," or whatever he thinks will attract the crowd. 
Now and then one of the animals should roar. It 
helps also to put up large colored pictures of ani- 
mals. A few boys or girls should go about selling 
peanuts and lemonade (for pins, buttons, stamps). 

When the doors (or curtains) are drawn the ani- 
mals set up a terrific roaring. The showman cracks 
his whip, they become silent. He then begins to 
show off each beast in turn. 

The keeper passes from cage to cage, feeding the 
animals or talking to them or sweeping in front of 
their cages. 



AVHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY i i 

A quick way to l)reak up the show is to let a few 
of the wild beasts loose among the audience. 

To make fun, a pet monkey may play pranks on 
the keeper and showman. 

If there are too many lines for one showman to 
learn have several players for this part. The show- 
man should say the lines in loud sing-song tones. 
(Most of the lines are from an old book called 
^'Poetry for Children/' by Charles and Mary Lamb. 
If you find some of the words hard to pronounce, 
ask a grown person to help you.) 

THE SHOW 

Shotvman (bowing to the people and pointing to 
his menagerie) : 

Within the boundaries of this yard, 
Each in his narrow prison barr'd, 
Dwells every beast that may be found 
On Af ric or on Indian ground. 

(The beasts stand on their hind legs and howl 
at the people. The showman cracks his whip, 
they lie do\ATi silent.) 
Shotvman (going over to the cages) : 

In that uneasy close recess 

Couches a sleeping lioness; 

That next den holds a bear ; ^, , 

(The bear rolls over.) 

the next (Tj^^ ^^,^^^ ^^^^^^^^ 

A wolf, by hunger ever vext . showmg his teeth.) 



78 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

(The monkey snatches off the keeper's hat. The 
keeper makes after him and gets it back, shaking 
his fist. Each time the monkey is chased the other 
animals rage and roar.) 

Showman: 

There fiercer from the keeper's lashes, 
His teeth the fell hyena gnashes ; 
That creature on whose back abound 
Black spots upon a yellow ground, 
A panther is. 

(The monkey climbs np on the showman's back 
and begins to make the same movements he has seen 
the showman make : point out the beast, turn to peo- 
ple, and so on. The showman shakes him otf, and 
shows him the whip. The monkey slinks back to 
his place.) 

SJiowmcm: 

That catlike beast that to and fro 

Kestless as fire does ever go, 

A tiger is. Observe how sleek 

And glossy smooth his coat; no streak 

On satin ever match 'd the pride 

Of that which marks his furry hide. 

How strong his muscles! he with ease 

Upon the tallest man could seize ; 

In his large mouth away could bear him, 

And into thousand pieces tear him. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS IIS PLAY 



79 



(The monkey makes off with food from the keep- 
er's basket. The keeper and the showman chase 
him and lock him np in an empty cage.) 

SJiowman: 

That lordly creature next to him 
A lion is. Survey each limb. 
In force and swiftness he excels 
Each beast that in the forest dwells; 
The savage tribes him king confess 
Throughout the howling wilderness. 
Woe to the ha|)less neighbourhood 
When he is press 'd by want of food! 
Of man, or child, or bull, or horse 
He makes his prey, such is his force. 

(At a nod from the showman the keeper pulls the 
nets from the cages, the beasts rush out among the 
people, howling. This of course puts an end to the 
show.) 




80 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

ANOTHER WAY TO HOLD A WILD BEAST SHOW 

PLAYERS 

Showman. 

One or two assistants. 

Build up a menagerie with screens, covered in 
front with a curtain. Behind the curtain have a 
small table with a mirror on it. Tell your assistants 
to hide behind the cages and imitate the roaring of 
lions and tigers, and the braying of a donkey. 

As soon as everything is ready and the people in 
their places, take your place as showman in front of 
the curtain, and invite the people to view the ani- 
mals. Explain that only one person may come at 
a time as too many would excite the animals. 

As the first person steps up, ask him which ani- 
mal he wishes to see first. (The donkey now sets up 
a long, loud braying.) He will at once say (or you 
suggest) that he wishes to see a donkey. Conduct 
him to the mirror, where he sees his own face. 

Warn him to keep the secret. (He will be sure 
to, so that the next player may be caught.) 

Bring out the droll puppets 
And let 's give a sliow ; 
I'll be the showman 
And you must all go. 



WHEX :\IOTHER LETS TS TLAY 81 



THE TRAVELING SHOW OF MOTHER TABBYSKINS 

It is great fun to play traveling showman. x\ll 
you need is a very simple playhouse on wheels, some 
boys or girls as helpers, and of course the show. To 
add to the fun your helpers may put up ahead of 
time signs telling the name of the play to be given, 
the time and place, and the price of admission (per- 
haps pins, buttons, or stamps). 

A wheelbarrow, an open express wagon, or a pair 
of wheels on an iron or wooden frame will do to 
move the show from place to place. On the wheels 
place a good-sized box so that its open top will be 
the back of the house and the bottom the front. 

Cut a square opening in the front of the house, at 
one side, for a window, and cut an opening from top 
to floor at the end of the other side, for a door. 
Place three boards, each about a foot in width, as 
ground, or street, on the front and both sides of the 
house. Be sure that the street is level with the floor 
of the house, so that it will be easy to make the play- 
ers go in and out the doorway. 

If you wish, you may paint the house dark brown 
or green. Hang a pair of curtains of the same color 
as the inside walls at the back, and a bright chintz 
curtain at the window and at the door. If you sew 
rings to the curtains and hang the curtains on strong 
cords, or better, brass rods, you will find it easier 
to draw them. 



82 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

THINGS NEEDED INSIDE THE HOUSE 
A small stool or chair at tlie window. 
A doll's bed opposite the doorway. 

PLAYERS 

Mother Tabbyskins : — A stuffed chintz cat, wear- 
ing a cap and a shawl, spectacles. 

Kittens : — Three stuffed chintz kittens. 

Doctor Mouse : — A stuffed gray or brown mouse, 
on wheels, with a small leather bag hung 
around the neck. 

Doctor Dog: — A stuffed chintz dog, wearing a 
high hat, a muffler around his neck, a coat 
and trousers. He should stand on his hind 
legs, on wheels, and carry a cane in one front 
paw and a bag in the other. 

A Child : — A boy or a girl. 

A Second Child : — A boy or a girl. 

Other Children : — Several boys or girls. 

HOW TO MANAGE THE PUPPETS 
The showman should have all the players in place 
before he opens the show: Mother Tabbyskins 
seated inside at the window, the Kittens in a row 
outside facing her, the Children playing jacks or 
something else off to one side of the house, Doctor 
Mouse and Doctor Dog, with strings attached to 
their legs, back, out of sight, at either side, ready 
for their part. 



^VHEX MOTHER LETS US TLAY 83 

The showman will ueed two strings on the dog's 
feet, one to draw the dog into the house, and one on 
the opposite leg to turn him around and draw him 
out. He must have the strings laid along the street 
and the floor of the house so that the ends come out 
at the hack, where he ^duIIs them. 

The showman works from the back, behind the 
curtains, keeping out of sight. He or one of his help- 
ers does the talking for the pupjDets, moving or turn- 
ing them to make them look as if they were talking. 
He should give each player a suitable voice.' 

To make it look as if Mother Tabbyskins eats 
Doctor Mouse, the showman jerks her forward in 
the bed with one hand and pulls the mouse out at the 
back with the other. As the curtain has been drawn 
across the doorway when Doctor Dog prepares to 
eat Mother Tabbyskins, the showman has a good 
chance to stuff Mother Tabbyskins inside the Doc- 
tor's coat. 



MOTHER TABBYSKINS 

A Child (pointing out Mother Tabbyskins) : 

Sitting at the v^dndow, 

In her cloak and hat, 
There is Mother Tabbvskins 

The 7^eal old cat ! 



84 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

The Other Children (singing out together) : 

(Chorus.) (They hobble up and 

Very old, very old, ^"^"' ^^ '^ ^^^^'^ 

Crumplety and lame ; 
Teaching kittens how to 

scold. 
Is it not a shame *? 

A Second Child (pointing out the kittens) : 
Kittens in the garden (The kittens spit and 

Looking in her face, ^"^^ "^ 

Learning how to spit and 
snarl. 

Oh, what a disgrace ! 

The Other Children (singing out together) : 
Very wrong, very wrong, (They mn over to 

■xr Til chase away the kittens. 

Very wronsT and bad: m, i, ? -f 

«^ ^ The showman s assist- 

Such a subject for a song ant pulls the strings. 

Makes us all too sad. The First Child does 

not go. He watches 
Mother Tabbyskins.) 

Mother Tah^y shins (sticking out her head 
howls) : 

Mi — eow — eow — eow ! 

Mi — eow! (short and sharp). 

(She hobbles down from the window.) 
(At her cry the children run over to see what is 
the matter.) 



AVHEN MOTHER LETS TS PLAY 85 

The First Child (telling them what has hap- 
pened) : 

Old Mother Tabbyskins, 

Sticking out her head, 
Gave a \\o\\\ and then a yowl, 

Hobbled off to bed. 

The Other Children (singing out together) : 

Very sick, very sick, 

Very savage, too ; 
Pray, send for a doctor quick — 

Any one will do! 

(A mouse comes along.) 

A Third Child (catching sight of him) : 

Doctor Mouse comes creeping. 
Creeping to her bed. 

(The curtain on the door is drawn back. Mother 
Tabbyskins is seen in bed. Doctor Mouse goes in 
and over to the bed. The children go near the house 
(but do not hide the doorway), the Third Child in 
the lead. He goes on telling the others what he 
sees and hears.) 

The Third Child: 

Lanced her gums and felt her pulse. 
Whispered, ' ' She is dead. ' ' 



86 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

The Other Children (singing out together) : 

Very sly, very sly, 

The real old cat, 
Open keeps her weather eye — 

Mouse ! beware of that. 

Mother Tabbyskins, with a cry, springs on the 
Mouse. 

The Third Child cries out : 

Old Mother Tabbyskins, 

Saying, '' Serves him right,'' 

Gobbled up the doctor, with 
Ill-concealed delight. 

The Other Children (singing out together, as 
they run away) : 

Very fast, very fast, 

Very pleasant, too — 
^^What a pity it can't last; 

Bring another, do. ' ' 
(CURTAIN) 

(Doctor Dog comes along quickly.) 

The Third Child (catching sight of him) : 

Here's Doctor Dog come running. 

(The children run back.) 

(Doctor Dog stands at the door a minute.) 

The Third Child (going on) : 



WHEX :\IOTHER LETS ITS PLAY 87 

Just to see her begs ; (Going- nearer to ad- 

Eouncl his neck a comforter, ^"^^'^ ^^""-^ 
Trousers on his legs. 

The Other Children (singing out together) : 

Very grand, very grand — 

Golden-headed cane 
Swinging gaily from his hand, 

Mischief in his brain. 

Doctor Bog: 

^^Dear Mother Tabbyskins, 

And how are you now ? 
Let me feel your pulse — so, so ; 

Show your tongue — bow, wow." 

The Children (mimicking a doctor) : 

Very ill, very ill; 

Please attempt to purr ; 
Will you take a draught or pill ? 

Which do you prefer? 

(Doctor Dog turns toward door, barking. The 
curtain is drawn to let him in, then let down.) 

The First Child (looking at the closed door) : 

Ah, Mother Tabbyskins, 

Who is now afraid'? 
Of poor little Doctor Mouse 

You a mouthful made. 



88 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

The Otlier Children (listening, sing out to- 
gether) : 

Very nice, very nice, 

Little doctor tie ; 
But for Doctor Dog's advice 

You must pay the fee. 

The Third Child (who has been looking in at the 
window) : 

Doctor Dog goes nearer, 
Says she must be bled ; 

The First Child (listening) : 
I heard Mother Tabbyskins (Mother Tabbyskins 
Screaming in her bed. ""'''' ^^^' ^^""^^' ^^- 

^ eow.) 

The Other Children (listening, sing out to- 
gether) : 

(Chorus.) 
Very near, very near. 
Scuffling out and in, 

Doctor Dog looks full and (Tbe door is opened; 

^„ggp Doctor Dog comes out, 

-TT-n . m 1 T 1 • r» looking Very fat. Tbe 

Where is Tabbyskm? bed is se^n to be 

empty.) 

The Second Child (holding up his forefinger) ; 

I will tell the Moral 
Without any fuss; 



WHEN MOTHER LETS TS PLAY 89 

Those \y1io lead the yoimg astray 
ALWAYS suffer^hiis. 

(END OF THE PLAY) 

(The traveUng' showman comes out, hows to the 
people, and prepares to move off to another place.) 




The Traveling: Showman. 



90 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

PUPPET PLAYS 

THE PUPPET THEATRE 

A toy theatre is fun. Get or make a wide, open 
box about four feet long. Stand the box on end. 
The open side will be the back of the theatre. Now 
take out most of the wood at the top, so that you 
have an open top. In the upper part of the front 
cut an opening about a foot and a half, to show a 
stage. Make the floor of the stage by putting 
boards across on rests nailed to the inner sides of 
the theatre. With cross pieces give the theatre a 
high pointed front — this will hide you when you are 
at the back. Paint the theatre brown or dark green. 
Hang curtains on rods across the front and the back 
of the stage. 

MAKING THE PUPPETS PLAY 

Stretch wires from one side to the other, across 
the top of the stage, about two inches apart. Fasten 
wires or strings to the puppets and hang the puppets 
on the wires across the top of the stage. Keep the 
puppets close to the sides, behind the curtains, until 
needed. When needed move them out into place on 
the stage. (See that some go on at one side and 
some at the other. A little practice will show you 
also which should go on the same wire with others 
and which should not.) 

It is of course better fun not to let yourself be seen 



WHEX :\IOTHER LETS US PLAY 



91 



as YOU put on the players. For this reason it is 
wise to set up tlie theatre between portieres or 
screens that will hide you. 

You do the talking for the puppets, but you make 
them look and act as if they are doing it. This is 
easy. All you have to do is to lift or bend or turn 
or move forward or back whichever puppet is talk- 
in.of. 




A Puppet Show. 



92 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

THE PUPPET PLAY OF THE PRINCESS ON THE PEA 
(From Hans Andersen's story.) 

PLAYERS 

(Sawdust dolls dressed for their parts.) 

Prince: Boy doll, golden hair, velvet knee 
breeches and jacket, silk stockings, slippers, 
sword, cap with plume. 

King: Boy doll, gray wig, cloth breeches and 
cloak with ermine trimming (cotton bat- 
ting spotted black with ink or coal), silk 
stockings, slippers, sword, crown. 

Queen: Girl doll, gray wig, satin gown with 
train, ermine trimming, crown. 

Princess : Girl doll, shabby dress. 

ACT I 

The prince cannot find a real princess. 

Scene: The King and Queen talking to the 
Prince, who has just arrived home. 
King: Well, my son, have you found a princess 

to marry? 
Prince (speaking sadly): Alas! no, father. 

Not a real princess. 
Queen: Have you searched everywhere? 
Prince: I have traveled all over the world. 
Queen: And you found no princesses? 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 93 

Prince (sighing) : There Avere j^^'^i^^^^^^^ 
enough, but whether they were real prin- 
cesses I could not quite make out. There 
was always something that did not seem 
quite right. ^ 

(He sighs deeply.) 
(CURTAIN) 

ACT II 

A princess comes in out of the storm and rain. 

Scene : The Prince is by himself at one side 
of the stage ; the King and the Queen at the other 
grieve over his sadness. 

Queen: He is still sad. Surely there must be a 
real princess somewhere. 

(There is a crash of tlmnder (the showman's as- 
sistant bangs together tin pans, behind the stage), 
then a downpour of rain. .(Another assistant, keep- 
ing his body and hand out of sight, pours water from 
a watering-can into a pail at the open back of the 
stage.) In the midst of the storm there is a knock- 
ing at the gate outside. 

The three start up and listen.) 

King: I will see who it is. 

(He goes over to one side.) 

Princess (speaking outside) : May I come in? 
King: Who are you? 
Princess: I am a princess. 



94 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 




The Princess on the Pea. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 95 

(She comes in.) 

Queen: What! a Princess! Avitli the rain run- 
ning down your hair and in at the points 
of your shoes and out at the heels. Fie ! 

^Princess (sweetly) : Yes, I am a real princess. 

Queen (nodding her head, thinks aloud) : Well, 
we shall soon find that out. 
She goes to the other side. (The showman 

pushes out from side a bed.) She takes all the 

bedding off. (The sho\^mian of course does this, 

pulling it off by means of strings.) 

Queen: Now we'll see whether she is a real 
princess. I'll place a tiny pea on the bed- 
stead (the shoAMiian lets it do^^al by means 
of a string) and pile twenty mattresses upon 
the pea and twenty eider-down beds on top 
of the mattresses. (The shoT\^iian does 
this.) There! She shall sleep on that to- 
night, and we'll soon see whether she is a 
princess. 

(CURTAIN) 

ACT ni 

The Prince finds a Princess. 

Scene: The Queen next morning inquiring 
how the Princess has slept; the King and the 
Prince nearby. 
Queen: How did you sleep last nights 



96 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

(The Prince goes nearer to hear her answer.) 
Princess : Oh, miserably ! I scarcely closed my 
eyes all night long. I lay on something 
hard, so that I am black and blue all over. 
It was dreadful!'^ 
Prince (starting forward, joyfully) : She is a 
real princess. No one could be so tender but 
a real princess. 

(The two rush toward each other.) 
Queen (to King) : "Wasn't that clever of me ^ 
King: The pea shall be placed in the museum, 
And if no one take it away 
There it shall stand for ever and aye. 

(CURTAIN) 



WHEX :\r OTHER LETS TS PLAY 97 

THE TOP AND THE BALL 

A PUPPET PLAY 

(Prom Hans Andersen's story.) 

PLAYERS 

The Top: A large toy top, a face marked out 

on it in heavy white lines. 
The Ball: A large rubber ball painted a shiny 

brown to look like morocco, a face marked 

out on it in heavy white lines. 
Owner of top : A boy doll. 
Servant-girl: A girl doll in servant's cap and 

apron. 

THINGS XEEDED FOR THE PUPPET PLAY 

Three other tops of same make and size as first, 
one red and yellow, one old and shabby, one gold. 

A shabby, rain-soaked ball of same shape and 
size as first. 

Tiny cans of red paint, yellow paint, gilding ; 
a brush. 

A box in which to place the Top and the Ball. 

A dust-box. 

HOW TO MAX^AGE THE TOP AXD THE BALL 

Place them in a box tipped forward enough so that 
they may be seen. (They are of course hung by 
wires from the wires across the top of the stage.) 



98 WHEN" MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

The boy only pretends to paint the top. With a 
quick movement the showman puts forward, in its 
place, another top already in the box, but hidden. 

HOW TO SPEAK FOR THE TOYS 

The showman may do the speaking himself or he 
may let an assistant do it. It will make the toys 
seem more toylike and also delight the audience to 
give them queer, small voices, the top's with a 
wooden or humming sound in it, the ball's light and 
high. By moving the toy, lifting it, making it bow 
or turn its face or back, or go nearer or farther 
away, the speaker makes it look as if it were doing 
the speaking. 

ACT I 

The Top tries to get the Ball to love him. 
Scene : The Top and the Ball lying together 
in a box. 

The Top (turning toward the Ball) : Shall we 
not love each other, living here together in 
the same box? 
The Ball lifts herself proudly and turns away 
from the Top. 

A boy comes to the box with red and yellow 
paints and a brush. He paints the top red and 
yellow. He then goes out. 

The Top (eagerly, to the Ball) : Look at me! 
What do you say now"? Will you not love 
me? We go so well together! You jump 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 99 

and I dance. No one conld be happier than 
we shonld be ! 

The Ball (tossing her head) : Indeed! Do you 
think so"? Perhaps you do not laiow that 
my papa and my mamma were morocco sli^o- 
pers, and that I haA^e a cork in me "? 

Til Top : Yes, but I am made of mahogany, and 
the mayor himself turned me. He has a 
turning lathe of his own and he amuses him- 
self with it. 

The Ball (eagerly, turning toward him) : May 
I be sure of that ? 

The Top (hopefully, moving nearer) : May I 
never be whipped again if it is not true ! 

The Ball (drawing back) : You talk well for 
yourself. But I caimot do what you ask. 
I am as good as half engaged to a swallow. 
Every time I leap up into the air he sticks 
his head out of the nest and says, ^^ Will 3^ou % 
Will you'?" And now I have said ^^Yes" 
inside, and that is half engaged. But I 
promise never to forget you. 

The Top (moving back) : Much good that will 
do! 

(CUKTAIX) 



100 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

ACT II 
THE BALL DISAPPEARS 

The Boy comes to the box, picks up the Ball, and 
goes out. The Top looks after the Ball. The boy 
outside plays with the ball, throwing it up into the 
air. He counts aloud the bounces, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 
7, 8, 9 (throwing it so that it will bounce outside the 
open back of the stage, where the Top and the au- 
dience may see it). (The showman does this out- 
side.) 

The Top (watching the ball) : How high she 

flies into the air ! Like a bird ! 
After the ninth count, the boy throws the ball 
so that it does not come down. He comes in, 
looking all about for it, can't find it, says, ^'It's 
lost," and runs off. 
The Top (sorrowfully) : I know very well 

where she is. She is in the Swallow's nest, 

and has married the Swallow. 

(CURTAIN) 

ACT III 
THE END OF EACH 

The Top, now looking old and faded, lies alone in 
the box. The Ball shabby and rain soaked, lies in 
a dust-box nearby. (These are the other toys put 
in the places of the first.) The Boy comes in, 



WHEX :mother lets vs play 101 

carrying gold paint and a brush. He gilds the top 
(the showman puts a gilt top in its place) and car- 
ries it ot^ with him. He spins it again and again. 
(The showman spins it outside the open back of the 
stage. He keeps himself out of sight.) At last it 
springs high and comes down into the dust-box. 
(The showman makes it fall into the dust-box.) 
The Boy comes in searching for it, but cannot find 
it. "Now that's gone too," he says, and goes out. 
The Top (from dust-box). Here's a nice place 
to lie in! The gilding will soon leave me 
here. And what a rabble IVe come 
amongst ! 
He looks at a round thing like an apple — the 
Ball, now faded and old. 

TJie Ball (tiu^ning toward the Top) : At last 
here is someone with whom one may talk. 
(Moving a little nearer) : I am really 
morocco, sewed by hand, and have a cork in 
me. But no one would think it to look at 
me. I came very near marrying a Swallow, 
but I fell into the gTitter on the roof, and 
have been there five seasons. That's a long 
time, you know, for a young girl. 
The Top says nothing. 

The servant comes to empty dust into the box. 
She sees the Top. 

Servant: Aha, there's a gold Top! It's much 
too good to be thrown away. If little mas- 



102 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

ter doesn't want it, 111 give it to a boy who 
does. She stoops to pick it out of the dust- 
box. 

(CURTAIN) 



WHEN" MOTHER LETS US PLAY 103 

SHADOW PLAY 

TEE SEADOW STORY OF TEE LITTLE OLD 
WOMAN AND EEB COMPANY 

Shadow play is the best fun of all. 

THE SHADOW SCEEEN 

All you have to do is to stretch a stout piece of 
cord across a part of the room where there is a good 
light, hang on the cord curtains of stuff that will 
not let the light through, and put up between the 
two curtains, on a cord stretched a little behind the 
other, a sheet. Now cover the sheet near the top 
with stuff that will keep out the light. Do the same 
with the lower part of the sheet high enough to hide 
you where you stand behind it. The portion of the 
sheet left between the top and bottom coverings is 
to be the shadow screen. 

THE SHADOW PLAYERS AND PLECES 

The pieces needed for The Little Old Woman and 
her Company are a fireplace, a spinning wheel, and 
a chair. The players are a little old woman, about 
6 inches high, and a much bigger old man, about 10 
inches high. 

Draw the outlines of the pieces on thin wood or 
stiff cardboard, and cut them out carefully. The 
woman and the man must be made with movable 
parts. (You need only a sideways figure of the 
woman but a full front figure of the man.) Draw 



104 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



M^/.//' 




Shadow Play. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US i'LAY 105 

and cut each part by itself. The woman ^s head may 
wear a cap. Make holes at the joining places and 
fasten the parts together with wire hooks that will 
not come imdone easily. Fasten a string to any 
part that is to he moved. (You may he able to find 
in a toyshop jumping jacks all made that will suit. 
But it is more fun to make them yourself.) 

To make the man as queer and funny as possible, 
give either a pointed or square shape to all his parts. 
Cut holes in both figures for eyes. Cut out a nose 
and a mouth also in the man's face. 

SHOWIXG THE FIGURES ON THE SCREEN 

Keep the curtains drawn across the screen until 
everything is ready. Fix in place close to the 
screen, on a narrow ledge placed across the lower 
edge, the fireplace and near it the spinning wheel 
and the chair. Seat the little old woman in the 
chair, one hand holding the thread and one placed 
as if turning the wheel. 

Arrange where you can get at them easily, the 
strings that move the upper part of her body (as 
she sways back and forth while she spins — you 
need not try to keep this up too long), and that move 
her feet (when she jigs at the end). 

Now get the man ready. He is to appear on the 
screen part by part. As you must not let yourself 
nor your hands be seen, the best thing to do is to 
stand on a chair behind the curtain at the side where 
the man is to appear and let the parts down on the 



106 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

seen by means of strings. You must be sure to 
keep your hands above the covering at the top of the 
screen. You will need a little practice in hooking 
the parts together easily. (Use well open hooks 
with a good catch.) 

When everything is ready your helpers should 
put out all the lights in the room except the one be- 
hind the screen. They should now draw back the 
curtains before the screen. 

Now tell the story, and as you tell it show what 
happened as follows : 

One night a little old (She is shown seated, 

woman sat all alone by the ^p™^^^-) 
fire spinning and wishing 
for some one by the fire to 
keep her company. 

And still she sat, (Swaying ill time to 

And still she spun, ^"^^^ ^'^^^^'^ 

And still she wished for company. 

And by and by in from (The feet come on 
somewhere came a pair of ^^® stage.) 
big, big feet and sat down by 
the fireside. 

And still she sat, 

And still she spun. 

And still she wished for company. 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 107 

In came a pair of small, 
small legs and sat down on (The legs come m.) 
top of the big, big feet. 

And still she sat, 

And still she s^Dun, 

And still she ^Yished for company. 

In came a pair of thick, 
thick, knees, and sat doA^^i on (Tiie kiiees come in.) 
the small, small legs. 

And still she sat, 

And still she spun. 

And still she wished for company. 

In came a pair of thin, 

thin thighs, and sat do^Yn on (The thighs come in.) 

the thick, thick knees. 

And still she sat. 

And still she spun, 

And still she wished for company. 

In came a pair of huge, 
huge hips, and sat down on (The hips come in.) 
the thin, thin thighs. 

And still she sat, 

And still she spun, 

And still she wished for company. 



108 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

In came a wee, wee waist, 
and sat down on the huge, (The waist comes in.) 
huge hips. 

And still she sat, 

And still she spun. 

And still she wished for company. 

In came a pair of broad, 
broad shoulders, and sat (The shoulders come 
down on the wee, wee waist. ^'^ 

And still she sat. 

And still she spun. 

And still she wished for company. 

In came a pair of smiall, 

small arms, and hung down (The arms come in.) 

from the broad, broad shoul- 
ders. 

And still she sat, 

And still she spun. 

And still she wished for company. 

In came a small, small 

neck, and sat down on the (The neck comes in.) 

broad, broad shoulders. 

And still she sat. 

And still she spun. 

And still she wished for company. 



WHEN :\iOTHEU LETS US TLAY 



lOD 



(Tlic head conies in.) 

(The little old woman 
now stops.) 



(The little old wom- 
an may speak in a high 
squeaky voice; the man 
in a gruff voice. Move 
the figure to look as if 
speaking. ) 



In came a huge, huge head, 
and sat down on the small, 
small neck. 

So now the whole of him 
was there, and the little 
old woman f omid her tongue. 
Quoth she : 

How did you get such big, 
big feet ^ 

Quoth he : 

Much tramping, much 
tramping (gruffly) . 

How did you get such 
small, small legs ? 

Ai-h-h-h-h (sighing and 
whining in self pity) , up late 
and little to eat. 

How did you get such 
thick, thick knees '^ 

Much praying, much praying (piously). 

How did you get such thin, thin thighs "? 

Ai-h-h-h-h (sighing, as before), up late and 
little to eat. 

How did you get such huge, huge hi23S ^ 

Much stooping, much stooping (gruffly). 

How did you get such a wee, wee waist "? 

Ai-h-h-h-h (as before) , up late and little to eat. 

How did you get such broad, broad shoulders ? 



110 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

With carrying brooms^ with carrying brooms 
(gruffly). 

How did you get such small, small arms ? 

Ai-h-h-h-h (as before), up late and little to eat. 

How did you get such huge, huge hands ^ 

Threshing with an iron flail, threshing with an 
iron flail (gruffly). 

How did you get such a small, small neck ^ 

Ai-h-h-h-h (as before), up late and little to eat. 

How did you get such a huge head I 

Much thinking, thinking, much thinking, 
thinking (sharply). 

^^Well," said the little old woman, ^^what do 
you come for *? ' ' 

^^For you!" he shouted at (He springs toward 

the top of his voice, ^^ to keep ^''; She springs up, 

^ -^ and the two dance a 

you company. ji^^ 

And so the little old 
woman had her wish; and 
the little old man had plenty 
to eat after that, and might 
go to bed as early as he liked. 

(CURTAIN) 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 111 

THE TABLE AND THE CHAIR 

(A Shadow Story.) 

THINGS NEEDED 

A cardboard chair and a cardboard table. A 
group of cardboard people — ladies, gentlemen, 
children. A cardboard castle. A cardboard 
duck, a beetle, and a mouse. 

A dish of beans and bacon — colored beans and 
strips of paper. 

THE showman's PART 

He stands below the screen and j)nts up the 
figTires as he tells the story. He may hold them 
by pieces of cardboard left on for the purpose. 
His assistants put up the castle, holding it by a 
cardboard handle; also the people, a group (in 
one piece) held by a cardboard handle. They 
put on, in the same way, the dish of beans and 
bacon. The showmen must keep themselves and 
their hands out of sight. To get the toys into 
position to dance on their heads, use hooks or 
strings to turn them upside do^vn with a quick 
but steady movement. This will take some ^^rac- 
tice. When it comes to toddling to their beds 
make them toddle off the stage at the sides. 



112 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



THE TABLE AND THE CHAIR 

(Verses by Edward Lear.) 

Said the Table to the Chair, 
^^You can hardly be aware 
How I suffer from the heat 
And from chilblains on my 

feet. 
If we took a little walk, 
We might have a little talk; 
Pray let us take the air," 
Said the Table to the Chair. 



(The Table and the 
Chair are shown near 
each other.) 



Said the Chair unto the 

Table, 
^'Now, you know we are not 

able : 
How foolishly you talk. 
When you know we cannot 

walk!" 
Said the Table with a sigh, 
^^It can do no harm to try. 
I 've as many legs as you : 
Why can 't we walk on two "? ' ' 



(The Chair leans to- 
ward the Table.) 



(The Table leans to- 
ward the Chair.) 



So they botll went slowly (Several people-flat, 

- cardboard men, women, 

down, 
And walked about the town 



children — appear, 
ing with wide 



star- 
open 



WHEN MOTHER LETS VS PLAY 



113 



With a cheerful, bumpy 

sound 
As they toddled round and 

round ; 
And everybody cried, 
As he hastened to their side, 
'^See! the Table and the 

Chair 
Have come out to take the 

air!" 



eyes and open mouths 
to watch the Table and 
the Chair. The two go 
bumping along close to- 
gether.) 



But in going down an alley, 
To a castle in a valley, 
They completely lost their 

wav, 
And wandered all the day ; 
Till, to see them safely back. 
They paid a Ducky-quack, 
And a Beetle, and a Mouse, 
Who took them to their 

house. 



(The stage shows at 
one end a castle. Near- 
by are a Duck, a Bee- 
tle, and a Mouse. The 
Table and the Chair 
move about as if lost. 
They stop in front of 
Duck, Beetle, and 
Mouse. All five turn 
back, the three lead- 
ing.) 



Then they whispered to each 

other, 
^^O delightful little brother. 
What a lovely walk we've 

taken ! 
Let us dine on beans and 

bacon." 



(The Table and the 
Chair whisper, their 
heads together. A dish 
of beans and bacon ap- 
pears. They all crowd 
around it. They dance 
on their heads. They 
toddle off.) 



114 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

So the Ducky and the leetle 

Browny-Mousy and the Bee- 
tle 

Dined, and danced upon their 
heads 

Till they toddled to their 
beds. 

(CURTAIN) 

Try telling this as a shadow story; you will 
find it easy: 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 115 

THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-CAT 
(Edward Lear.) 

In a beautiful pea-green boat : 
They took some honey and plenty of money 

Wrapped up in a five-pound note. 
The Owl looked up to the stars above, 

And sang to a small guitar, 
^^O lovely Pussy, oh, Pussy, my love, 

What a beautiful Pussy you are, 
You are. 
You are ! 

What a beautiful Pussy you are!" 

Pussy said to the Owl, ^'You elegant fowl. 

How charmingly sweet you sing ! 
Oh, let us be married, too long we have tarried ; 

But what shall we do for a ring'?" 
They sailed away for a year and a day, 

To the land where the bong-tree grows ; 
And there in the wood a Piggy-wig stood, 

With a ring at the end of his nose, 
His nose. 
His nose, 

With a ring at the end of his nose. 

^^Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling 
Your ring '? ' ' Said the Piggy, ' ' I will. ' ' 



116 WHEN" MOTHER LETS ITS PLAY 

So tliey took it away and were married next day 

By the turkey who lives on the hill. 
They dined on mince and slices of quince, 

Which they ate with a runcible spoon ; 
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, 
They danced by the light of the moon. 
The moon. 
The moon. 
They danced by the light of the moon. 
Let's pretend Arabian Nights 
And tell o 'er a thousand tales ; 
The fire, it flares in witch lights, 
And the Nightmare sweeps by on wild 
gales. 

Stories are the best of all. There is room for 
only a few in this book, but that is no matter. You 
know a great many: Tom Thumb, Jack the Giant 
Killer, Aladdin. Tell them. Play some of them, 
making up the play yourself. Sometimes try mak- 
ing up stories ; it is fun. 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 117 



THE SLEEPING BEAUTY 

A long time ago, \Yhen wishing was having, 
there were a king and a queen who Avished every 
day that they liad a little child, but they never 
had one. Now one day, when the queen was 
bathing, a frog poked his head ujd out of the 
water and said, ^^You shall have your wish; be- 
fore another 3^ear has rolled around you shall 
have a daughter. 



?? 



And Avhat the frog said came true! Before 
the year was out the queen had a little girl, who 
was so lovely that the king was overjoyed and 
ordered a great feast. 

He invited to the feast not only his relatives 
and friends, but also the Wise Women that they 
might be kind to the child. There Avere thirteen 
of them in the kingdom but as he had only 
twelve golden plates for them to eat from he had 
to leave one out. 

Well, the feast was held with great splendor 
and after it the Wise Women came forward to 
give their magical gifts to the babe. One said, 
^'She shall be as beautiful as the dawn'' ; another 
*'She shall be as graceful as a fawn"; another, 
^^She shall sing as sweetly as a nightingale''; 
another, ^^She shall play on the lute and the 
harp"; another, '^She shall have gold and sil- 



118 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

ver"; another, ''She shall be as good as she is 
beautiful." When the eleventh had given her 
gift, the thirteenth, who had not been asked to 
the feast, rushed in. She was in a fury because 
she had not been invited. Without greeting any- 
one she shook her finger at the babe and cried 
in a loud voice: ^^The king's daughter shall in 
her fifteenth year prick herself with a spindle 
and fall down dead." And without saying a 
word more she turned around and left the room. 

Everyone was shocked. But the twelfth, 
whose wish was still unsaid, came forward: ''I 
cannot altogether undo the evil," said she, ^^but 
only soften it ; the princess shall not die ; she shall 
fall into a deep sleep that shall last a hundred 
years. ' ' 

And the king, to keep his dear child from 
pricking her finger, ordered that all the spindles 
in the land should be burned. 

As the little princess grew up all the gifts of 
the Wise Women came to her and she was so 
beautiful and wise and good that everyone loved 
her. 

Now it happened that on the very day she was 
fifteen years old she wandered all about the pal- 
ace, looking into all the rooms till at last she 
came to an old tower. She climbed up the nar- 
row winding staircase until she reached a little 



WHEN MOTHER LETS ITS PLAY 119 

door. A rusty key was in the lock. When she 
turned it the door sprang open and there in the 
little room sat an old woman spinning flax. 

^'Good day, old dame," said the little prhicess; 
^Svhat are you doing ^" 

*'I am spinning, fair child," said the old 
woman, nodding her head. 

^'What is that, that rattles round so merrily?" 
said the girl, and she took the sj)indle in her hand 
to look at it. But no sooner had she touched it 
than the magic wish came true ; she pricked her 
finger with it, and fell do^YD. in a deep sleep. 

And this sleep went over the whole palace ; the 
king and queen went to sleep and the whole court 
with them. The horses, too, went to slee^^ in 
their stalls, the dogs in the yard, the pigeons on 
the roof, the flies on the wall ; even the fire that 
was fiaming on the hearth became quiet and slept, 
the roast left ofl frizzling, and the cook, who was 
just about to box the ears of the scullery boy be- 
cause he had forgotten something, kept his hand 
where it was and slept. And the wind fell, and 
on the trees before the castle not a leaf moved. 
And around the castle there grew up a hedge of 
thorns so high that nothing of the castle could be 
seen, only the tip of the topmost tower. 

The story of the '^Sleeping Beauty," for so 
jthe princess was named, went about the coun- 



120 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

try, and from time to time men came and tried 
to get through the thorny hedge into the castle 
but the thorns held them like hands and they 
could not get loose again and so died. And the 
story went far and wide. 

Well, after long, long years, just when the hun- 
dred years had passed, a king's son came into that 
country and heard an old man talking about the 
thorn hedge and the beautiful princess who had 
been asleep behind it for a hundred years. The 
old man had heard the story, he said, from his 
grandfather, who used to tell that many a brave 
man had attempted to break through the hedge 
and find the princess. The moment the youth 
heard the tale he felt that the task must be his. 
^^I am not afraid," said he ; ^^I will find the beau- 
tiful maiden." 

Off he set straightway and lo! when he came 
to the hedge its thorns changed into flowers and 
it opened of itself to let him pass unhurt, then 
closed again behind him. In the castle yard he 
saw the horses and the spotted hounds lying 
asleep and on the roof of the stable sat the 
pigeons with their heads under their wings ; and 
everywhere was no sound but a gentle breathing. 
In the castle the flies were asleep on the wall, 
and in the kitchen the cook was still holding out 
his hand to box the boy, and the maid was sitting 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 121 

by the black hen she Avas going to pluck. He 
went into the great hall and there he saw all the 
ladies and gentlemen hi waiting and the pages 
lying asleep, but their lips were red and their 
cheeks rosy, and up by the throne lay the king 
and queen. Then he went on still farther and all 
was so quiet that he could hear his own breath 
and came at last to the tower and opened the door. 
And there he saw a sight so beautiful that he 
could not turn his eyes away ; it was the sleeping 
princess, fairer than the dawn; and he knelt by 
her side and kissed her. And lo ! as soon as he 
did so she opened her eyes and looked at him 
sweetly. 

Then they went down together. And the king 
awoke and the queen and the whole court and 
looked at one another in great astonishment. 
The horses in the stalls woke up and shook them- 
selves ; the hounds jumped up and wagged their 
tails; the pigeons took their heads from under 
their wings, looked aromid, and flew away into 
the open country. The flies on the wall crept 
again, the fire in the kitchen blazed and the joint 
began to turn and frizzle, the cook gave the boy 
such a box that he said, ^'Wow, wow," and the 
maid plucked the fowl. 

And that very day the prince married the prin- 
cess and they lived happy forever and ever after. 

—Folk Tale 



122 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



THE BREMEN TOWN-MUSICIANS 

A certain man had a donkey. This donkey had 
carried the corn-sacks to the mill for many a 
long year. But his strength was going, and he 
was growing more and more unfit for work. 
Then his master began to think how he might 
best save the donkey's keep. But the donkey, 
seeing that no good wind was blowing, ran 
away and set out on the road to Bremen. 
^' There,'' he thought, '^I can surely be town- 
musician. ' ' 

When he had walked some way, he found a 
hound lying on the road, gasping like one who had 
run till he was tired. ^^What are you gasping 
so for, you big fellow ? ' ' asked the donkey. 

^^Ah," replied the hound, ''as I am old, and 
daily grow weaker, and no longer can hunt, my 
master wanted to kill me. So I took to flight; 
but now how am I to earn my bread ? ' ' 

''I tell you what," said the donkey; ''I am go- 
ing to Bremen, and shall be town-musician there. 
Come with me and engage yourself also as a 
musician. I will play the lute, and you shall 
beat the kettledrum. ' ' 

The hound agreed, and on they went. 

Before long they came to a cat sitting on the 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US TLAY 123 

path, with a face like three rainy days ! ' ' Now 
then, old shaver, what has gone askew with you % ' ' 
asked the donkey. 

^^Who can be merry when his neck is in dan- 
ger"?" answered the cat. ^^ Because I am now 
getting old, and my teeth are worn to stumps, and 
I prefer to sit by the tire, rather than hunt about 
after mice, my mistress wanted to drown me, so 
I ran away. But now good advice is scarce. 
Where am I to go"?" 

^'Go with us to Bremen. You miderstand 
night music, so 3'Ou may be a town-musician." 

The cat thought well of it, and went with them. 
After this the three came to a farm-yard, where 
the cock was sitting upon the gate, crowing with 
all his might. ^'Your croAV goes through and 
through one," said the donkey. ^'What is the 
matter ? ' ' 

^'I have been foretelling fine weather, but 
guests are coming for Sunday, so the housewife 
has no pity, and has told the cook that she in- 
tends to eat me in the soup to-morrow, and this 
evening I am to have my head cut off. Now I 
am crowing at full pitch while I can." 

^^Ah, but Eed-comb," said the donkey, ^^you 
had better come away with us. We are going to 
Bremen; you may find something better than 
death anpvhere. You have a good voice, and 



124 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

if we make music together it must have some 
quality ! ' ' 

Tlie cocl^ agreed to this plan, and all four went 
on together. They could not, however, reach the 
city of Bremen in one day, and in the evening 
they came to a forest where they meant to pass 
the night. The donkey and the hound laid them- 
selves down under a large tree, the cat and the 
viock settled themselves in the branches ; but the 
cock flew straight to the top, where he was most 
safe. Before he went to sleep he looked round 
on all the four sides, and thought he saw in the 
distance a little spark burning. So he called out 
to his companions that there must be a house not 
far off, because he saw a light. The donkey said, 
^^If so, we had better get up and go on; the shel- 
ter here is bad.'' The hound thought that a few 
bones with some meat on would do him good too ! 

So they made their way to the place where the 
light was, and soon saw it shine brighter and 
grow larger, until they came to a well-lighted 
robber 's house. The donkey, as the biggest, went 
to the window and looked in. 

^^What do you see, my grey-horsed' asked the 
cock. 

^'What do I see?" answered the donkey; ^^a 
table covered with good things to eat and drink, 
and robbers sitting at it enjoying themselves." 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 125 

"That would be tlie sort of thing for us," said 

the cock. 

* ' Yes, yes ; ah, howl wish we were there ! said 

the donkev. 

Then the animals thought together how they 
miglit drive awav the robbers, and at last they 
hit on a plan. The donkey was to place himself 
with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the 
hound was to jump on the donkey's back, the cat 
was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock 
was to flv up and perch upon the head of the cat. 

When this was done, at a given signal, they be- 
gan their music together: the donkey brayed, 
the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock 
crowed ; then they burst through the window mto 
the room, so that the glass clattered! At this 
horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no 
less than that a ghost had come in, and fled m a 
great fright out into the forest. The four com- 
panions now sat dovm at the table, well content 
with what was left, and ate as if they were going 
to fast for a month. 

As soon as they had done, they put out the 
light, and each sought for himself a sleepmg- 
place that suited him. The donkey laid himself 
down on some straw in the yard, the hound lay 
behind the door, the cat upon the hearth near the 
warm ashes, and the cock perched himself upon 



126 "WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

a beam of the roof. And being tired with their 
long walk, they soon went to sleep. 

When it was past midnight, and the robbers 
saw from afar that the light was no longer burn- 
ing in their house, and all looked quiet, the cap- 
tain said, ^^We ought not to have let ourselves 
be frightened out of our wits.'' So he ordered 
one of them to go and examine the house. 

The messenger finding all still, went into the 
kitchen to light a candle, and, taking the glisten- 
ing fiery eyes of the cat for live coals, he held a 
match to them to light it. But the cat did not 
understand the joke, and flew in his face, spit- 
ting and scratching. In great fright he ran to 
the backdoor, but the dog, who lay there, sprang 
up and bit his leg ; and as he ran across the yard 
by the straw heap, the donkey gave him a smart 
kick with its hind foot. The cock, too, who had 
been awakened by the noise, cried down from the 
beam, ' ' Cock-a-doodle-doo ! ' ' 

The robber ran back as fast as he could to his 
captain, and said, ^'Ah, there is a horrible witch 
sitting in the house, who spat on me and 
scratched my face with her long claws; and by 
the door stands a man with a knife, who stabbed 
me in the leg ; and in the yard there lies a black 
monster, who beat me with a wooden club; and 
above, upon the roof, sits the judge, who called 



WHEX :\[OTHER LETS US PLAY 127 

out, ^Bring the rogue here to me!' so I got away 
as well as I could." 

After this the robbers did not trust themselves 
in the house again ; but it suited the four musi- 
cians of Bremen so well that they did not care 
to leave it any more. 

And the mouth of him w^ho last told this story 
is still w^arm. 

—Folk Tale 



128 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

THE CANDLES 

There was a great Wax-ligiit that knew well 
enough what it was. 

^'I am born in wax, and moulded in a form," 
it said. ^^I give more light and burn a longer 
time than any other light. My place is in the 
chandelier, or in a silver candlestick." 

' ' That must be a charming life ! ' ' said the Tal- 
low-candle. ^^I am only of tallow, — only a tal- 
low dip ; but then that is better than to be a mere 
taper, dipped only two times: I am dipped 
eight times, to get a decent thickness. I'm sat- 
isfied. It would, to be sure, be luckier still to 
have been born in wax, and not in tallow; but 
one doesn't place himself in this world. They 
are put in great rooms, and in glass candlesticks. 
I live in the kitchen, — but that is a good place, 
too: they get up all the dishes in the house 
there. ' ' 

^^But there is something that is more im- 
portant than eating!" said the Wax-candle. 
^'Good company, — to see them shine, and shine 
yourself. There is a ball here this evening. 
Now I and all my family are soon to be sent for. " 

Scarcely was this said, than all the Wax-lights 
were sent for, — but the Tallow-candle too. The 
mistress took it in her delicate hand, and carried 



WHEN MOTHEK LETS US PLAY 129 

it out into the kitchen. There stood a little boy 
with a basket that was full of potatoes, and a 
few apples were in it too. The good lady had 
giyen all these to the poor boy. 

''Here is a candle for you, my little friend," 
said she. ''Your mother sits up and works far 
into the night, — she will use this." 

The lady's little daughter stood by her, and 
when she heard the words "far into the night," 
she said eagerly, "And I'm going to sit up till 
night, too ! We 're going to haye a ball, and I 'm 
to wear big red bows for it. ' ' 

How her face shone ! yes, that was happiness ! 
No wax-light could shine like the child's eyes. 

"That is a blessed thing to see," thought the 
Tallow-candle. "I shall neyer forget it, and 
certainly it seems to me there can be nothing 
more." And so the Candle was laid in the 
basket imder the coyer, and the boy took it away. 

"Where am I going to now?" thought the 
Candle. "I shall be with poor folks, perhaps 
not once get a brass candle-stick; but the Wax- 
light is stuck in silyer, and sees the rich ones! 
What can there be more delightful than to be a 
light among fine folks? That's my lot, — tallow, 
not wax. ' ' 

And so the Candle went to the poor people, a 



130 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

widow witli three children, in a little, low room, 
just over opposite the rich house. 

^^God bless the good lady for what she gave!'' 
said the mother; ^4t is a splendid candle, — it will 
burn till far into the night. ' ' 

And the candle was lighted. 

' ' Pugh ! " it said. ' ^ That was a horrid match 
she lighted me with. One hardly offers such a 
thing as that to a wax-light, over at the rich 
house. ' ' 

There also the wax-lights were lighted, and 
shone out over the street. The carriages rum- 
bled up to the rich house with the guests for the 
ball, dressed so splendidly ; the music struck up. 

'^Now they're beginning over there," felt the 
Tallow-candle, and thought of the little rich 
girl's bright face, that was brighter than all the 
wax-lights. ^^That sight I never shall see any 
more." 

Then the smallest of the children in the poor 
house came — she was a little girl — and put her 
arms around her brother's and sister's necks. 
She had something very important to tell, and 
must whisper it. 

^^We're going to have this evening, — just 
think of it, — we're going to have this evening 
warm potatoes!" and her face beamed with hap- 



WHEX MOTHER LETS US PLAY 131 

piness. The Candle shone straight at her, and 
saw a haj^piness, as great as was in the rich 
house, where the little girl said, ''We are going 
to have a hall this evening, and I shall wear big 
red bows.'^ 

''Is it such a great thing to get Avarm pota- 
toes?" thought the Candle. "Well, here is just 
the same jov among the little things!" and it 
sneezed at that, — that is, it sputtered, and more 
than that no Tallow-candle could do. The table 
Avas spread, the potatoes were eaten. Oh, how 
good they tasted! it was a real feast; and then 
each got an apple besides, and the smallest child 
sang the little verse, — 

**Now thanks, dear God, I give to Tliee, 
That Thou again hast filled me. Amen." 

*'Was not that said prettily?" asked the little 
girl. 

"You mustn't ask that or say it," said the 
mother. "You should only thank the good God, 
who has filled you." 

And the little children went to bed, gave a 
good-night kiss, and fell aslee]_3 at once ; and the 
mother sat till far into the night, and sewed, to 
get a living for them and herself. And from the 
rich house the lights shone, and the music 
sounded. The stars twinkled over all the 



132 



WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 



houses, over the rich and over the poor, just as 
clear, just as kindly. 

^'That was in truth a rare evening,'' thought 
the Tallow-candle. ^'Do you think the wax- 
lights had any better time in their silver candle- 
sticks ? That I 'd like to know before I am burnt 
out!" 

And it thought of the happy children's faces: 
the two alike happy, the one lighted by wax- 
light, the other by tallow-candle. 

Yes, that is the whole story. 

— Hans Christian Andersen, 




WHEN ]\IOTHER LETS US PLAY 133 

ANSWERS TO PICTURE NAMES OF ANIMALS 

1 — Donkey 
2 — Monkey 
3 — Peacock 
4 — Eobin 
5 — Sparrow 

ANSWERS TO PICTURE NAMES OF PLACES 

1 — America 
2 — New Jersey 
3 — Pennsylvania 
4 — Newfoundland 
5 — Manhattan 
6 — Delaware 
7 — Maryland 

ANSWERS TO PROVERBS IN PICTURES 

1 

"When the cat 's away 
The mice will play. 

2 
Too many cooks spoil the broth. 

3 

A bird in the hand 

Is worth two in the bush. 



134 WHEN MOTHER LETS US PLAY 

4 

Early to bed 
And early to rise, 
Makes a man healthy, 
Wealthy and wise. 

5 

A stitch in time saves nine. 

6 

If you would thrive, 
Rise at five ; 
If you've thriven. 
You may lie till seven. 

7 
Slow and steady wins the race. 

8 
Many hands make light work. 

9 
Two heads are better than one. 



THE END 



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